Two killed, one injured as old bridge becomes approach road for caves in Odisha
At least two people were killed and another seriously injured when a part of the approach road of an old bridge connecting Chhatra Bazar and Malgodown in Odisha’s Cuttack city collapsed on Wednesday. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has condoled the deaths and announced a compensation of Rs 3 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased. He has also ordered an inquiry into the incident.
Officials had earlier said that a part of the bridge had collapsed. Although the identity of the dead is yet to be ascertained, officials said they were laborers engaged in the nearby Taldanda Canal renovation project. They were staying near the approach road of the bridge.
Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissioner SK Priyadarshi told PTI, “The accident took place when the connectivity road broke. However, some part of the bridge also fell on laborers working nearby. It appears that no one is trapped under the debris. DCP Cuttack is probing the incident,” he said.
In a statement, the Chief Minister expressed his deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and directed the officials concerned to ensure best treatment to the injured person as well as wish him a speedy recovery. He also ordered a Revenue Divisional Commissioner level inquiry into the circumstances responsible for the accident.
Both Cuttack District Collector BS Chayani and DCP Prateek Singh had earlier said that the accident happened due to a breakdown of a portion of the bridge. Singh confirmed that so far two people have died and one is in critical condition. “The injured were immediately rushed to the hospital. There was no delay in doing so. However, two of them died,” he said.
Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) Commissioner Anaya Das said that the rescue operation is almost over. “However, final clearance of the accident site is underway to ensure that no more people are trapped under the debris,” he said. “It is an unfortunate incident. The government will definitely look into it,” Chayani said. Personnel of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and Fire Brigade have been deployed to clear the debris.
The opposition Congress has blamed the district administration for the accident. Congress MLA Mohd Mokim said, “If proper precautions were taken, the accident could have been avoided. Adequate compensation should be given to the families of the victims.”
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