Flyover collapses in Bhubaneswar: 1 person dead and 11 injured

One person died and 11 others were injured after a portion of an under-construction railway flyover collapsed in Bomikhal area in Bhubaneswar. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik announced ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for kin of the deceased, identified as Satyabrata Pattnaik.

Satyabrata Pattnaik, a 40-year-old businessman, was killed as he, along with his daughter Sheetal, was under the flyover when it caved it, Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), Central Division, A B Otta told reporters. Pattnaik’s daughter was seriously injured and admitted to the AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, the RDC said.

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Fire services and rescue teams have reached the spot and are carrying out search and rescue operations, ANI reported. Around 15 labourers were working on the flyover when the structure collapsed on them in the afternoon.

The state government also suspended two engineers of works department for dereliction of duty. Railways said the construction was being made by the state works department. “Though the flyover is being constructed jointly by the railways and state works department, our jurisdiction remained close to the track. The accident site belonged to the state government,” said a railway officer.

Police said investigation was in progress to check quality of the construction work and negligence on part of the contractor. “We will bring everyone, involved in the construction work, under our purview of investigation. We will interrogate the contractor and workers. Those found guilty will be arrested,” DCP Satyabrata Bhoi said.