20 Odisha govt sponsored Srimandir Parikrama Project tourists injured as Hyva truck hits bus in Khordha

As many as 20 tourists were injured after a truck collided with their bus from the rear at Gada Khordha Square on National Highway 16 in Khordha. The mishap happened in the wee hours of Friday.

The bus was reportedly en route to Puri with 45 tourists from Gudari in Rayagada district who were being taken by the Odisha government to the pilgrim town to visit the newly-inaugurated Srimandir Parikrama Project.

As per reports, the bus reached the Goshala field near Khordha along the NH-16 today morning where the district administration has made arrangements for refreshments for the Parikrama Project visitors. However, when the passengers were getting down from the bus, a hyva truck hit it from the rear.

Following the mishap, all the injured were rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital in Khordha. They were later brought back to the Goshala field after treatment.

The police visited the spot and launched a probe into the matter.

It is pertinent to mention here that the State government is ferrying devotees from all over Odisha to Puri to make them see the Parikrama Project. They have made the Goshala ground along NH 16 a transit point for visitors.

However, it has been alleged that drivers coming from other districts find it hard to locate the transit point near Khordha and park their buses all over the area, some even on NH 16 in a scattered manner.