BJP's Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi on Wednesday called on the parents of 15-year-old boy Jyoti Prakash Behera, who was swept away after falling into the surging waters of an open stormwater drain at Satabdi Nagar in the Capital City on Sunday.
“No words or any amount of money can compensate the loss of the bereaved family. If we can find out a permanent solution for the drainage issues in Bhubaneswar, this will be a befitting tribute to the deceased child,” said the parliamentarian after meeting the parents of Jyoti.
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Sarangi also offered a seat to Jyoti’s 4-year-old younger at Kendriya Vidyalaya under the MP quota and promised to bear the expenditure of his education till Class 12.
The MP claimed that seven people have lost their lives to similar drain mishaps in the State Capital city in the last half a dozen years and dared the State Government to answer who all are responsible for the incidents.
“Met the family of the deceased child tonight. No amount of money can compensate! Child's death is a challenge-we must ensure that drainage work of our city is carried out fast by the State Govt.7 deaths in 6 years due to waterlogging! Where is the Plan and where is Action? Sad,” tweeted Sarangi.
Meanwhile, deceased Jyoti’s father said, “The MP met us and assured free education for my younger child. Can a city be called smart where neck-deep water flows on main roads even after a drizzle? My child was swept in the drain water. Most of the drains have been left open in the Capital City,” he added.
Jyoti fondly named Raja, a Class-X student, fell into a drain in Shatabdi Nagar area while cycling his way to tuition at about 2 pm on Sunday afternoon and was swept away by the gushing floodwater.
A massive rescue operation was launched the same day by nearly 30 fire service personnel and after nearly 18 hours the body of the boy was fished out from a main drain channel near Panchasakha Nagar.