Bhubaneswar: A day after a hoarding board collapsed during a nor-wester, claiming two lives at Aiginia Square near Durga Mandap, family members of the deceased and local residents staged a protest at the spot Wednesday, demanding justice and action against those responsible.
The protesters blocked the road and staged a dharna, leading to heavy traffic congestion, with vehicles stranded for hours. On being informed, police reached the spot and pacified the agitators, following which traffic gradually returned to normal.
Family members of one of the deceased, identified as Sachidananda Pradhan (18), alleged negligence and demanded strict action against those responsible.
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“While returning from college, the nor ’wester struck, and he took shelter under a shed near the hoarding. However, it collapsed, leading to his death.
We want justice and arrest of those who ignored safety measures,” they said.
The family members and locals demanded action against the contractors and the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), alleging negligence in removing illegal hoardings in the City.
They also blamed the civic body for allegedly permitting the installation of such hoardings despite safety concerns.
Refuting the allegations, BMC Mayor Sulochana Das said the hoarding had been installed privately without civic body authorisation.
“It was a tragic incident. The hoarding was neither authorised by the BMC nor the government; it had been set up under a private arrangement,” she said. She added that the matter will be investigated, and steps have already been initiated to remove illegal hoardings across the city.
“Action will also be taken against the agency concerned,” Das said. The bereaved families were initially provided an ex-gratia of Rs 30,000 each, which was later enhanced to 4 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF).
A complaint was lodged at Bharatpur Police Station against Sulochana Das, Ward No. 49 corporator Sanjukta Sundaray, her husband Ashwini Kumar Sundaray, local Durga Puja committee member Prasad Sundaray, and the agency concerned in connection with the hoarding collapse tragedy.
Meanwhile, a person was arrested Wednesday in connection with the mishap, Bharatpur police said. The accused, Sambit Mohanty (50), a city resident, was apprehended near Fire Station Square based on reliable information. His involvement was confirmed during interrogation.
