VOX POPULI
Black-listed firm to blame for bridge collapse
Thursday’s railing collapse at Bomikhal bridge claiming the life of a person (In less than eight months since September 10 mishap) on the same spot has stunned the citizens.
Anger against the authorities and officials responsible for the loss of life and property was evident among the people who Orissa Post interacted with.
Reena Chhattar, a resident of Income Tax Colony:
“I frequently travel through Bomikhal for my work. After yesterday’s mishap, I am scared of travelling through the area. What really shocks me is that the Government has not been taking any action against the culprits. It is our money they are squandering. They must not be spared. Punish them for their carelessness.”
Magu Puhan, an eye witness on the spot
“I welcome the decision of building the bridge at Bomikhal. We curse the government officials who have been supervising the shoddy work. Nobody seemed bothered about people’s lives.”
Devi Prasad Mishra, Resident of Rasulgarh: “It’s the only road that connects Puri to Cuttack. Accidents on this route have become frequent. The Panda Infra company’s Pratap Panda was simply arrested and he will come out of bail soon. Neither the Government nor officials are careful about human life.”
Sangram Rout, a Bomikhal resident.
“I am not surprised that the bridge has claimed two lives in eight months. If these people are allowed to construct, we all know what will happen after it is built. I urge the authorities to stop playing with the lives of people. Enough is enough.”
Bijay S, a resident of Rasulgarh.
“I travel to my office at Kalpana on my bike. I don’t wish to travel again on the same route. There is no guarantee of life in the hands of these people, thanks to black-listed Panda Infrastructure which was allowed to rebuild the bridge after last year’s mishap.”
Harihar Nayak, a Bomikhal shopkeeper
“This is not the right location to build a flyover. I don’t think the officials of Panda Infraprojects are working properly. Despite last year’s tragic accident, the construction firm has failed to provide safety measures. The workers must be provided helmets. Our government has handed over the project work again to the accused.”
Chhabindra Mallick, a restaurant employee
“This construction site may be identified as killer site. Mishaps have happened at the same spot twice due to reckless work of the government. I don’t know when the authorities will learn to serve people honestly. We don’t want any flyover in the area.”
Krushna Chandra Nag, a local resident
“I think the government is to blame for the incident. The project was again handed over to the black-listed company. The government only knows how to provide compensation to the victim’s family. They could not prevent recurring deaths at the same site. We are tired of this government.”
Debesh Dash, Bomikhal resident
“The government should have inspected the construction site everyday after the first tragedy. But we are expressing our anguish and anger now after the mishap.”
Resident Abhimanyu Bisoi
“Things would have been better had they taken safety measures. The construction firm’s recklessness has claimed another victim.”
Inputs: Dipchand Bihari, Chaitali S
