Bhubaneswar: A mishap on Puri-Cuttack highway which could have been disastrous Sunday afternoon after a portion of under-construction flyover at Bomikhal caved in leading to the death of one person. Eleven others were injured, four of them seriously, in the incident.
The incident occurred at 12.30pm, when about 15 labourers were working on the Bomikhal flyover construction site on the highway. The rescue operations started soon after and concluded at 7.45pm when no one was found trapped under the rubble.
A bike rider, identified as Satyabrata Pattanaik, who was travelling along with his daughter Sheetal, died instantaneously. His daughter was shifted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in a critical condition.
The injured have been admitted to Capital Hospital while five of them have been shifted to AIIMS hospital here.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik who expressed grief over the incident announced `5 lakh as ex gratia for the next of kin of the deceased and free treatment for the injured. Patnaik visited the injured at the Capital Hospital and AIIMS.
“I am shocked to learn about death of one person in the unfortunate incident. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family. I met the injured persons and discussed with the doctors about their treatment,” Naveen told reporters.
Two engineers have been suspended and a high-level probe has been ordered. Strong action would be taken against those found guilty, the CM said. The authorities have suspended deputy executive engineer Bansidhar Praharaj and assistant engineer Kishore Rout in this connection. Director general of police RP Sharma, who visited the spot Sunday evening, said, commissionerate police has registered a case in this connection. Action would be taken against those responsible for ‘criminal negligence’.
“Chief engineer (design) and chief engineer (roads) have been directed to probe the accident. They will start investigation tomorrow. We will not take the incident lightly, strong action will be taken against the guilty,” works secretary Nalini Kanta Pradhan told Orissa POST. The secretary also ordered withholding of all payments due to the contractor.
Rly joins rescue operation
Bhubaneswar: East Coast Railway (ECoR) officials also joined the rescue operation at Bomikhal Sunday. ECoR sent a mechanical engineer and supervisors with more than 10 gas cutters, seven hydrolic jacks with power pack and normal jacks to the accident site.
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