Bhubaneswar open drain mishap: Axe falls on BMC’s assistant engineer

The assistant engineer working in the drainage division of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been placed under suspension after being held responsible for the unfortunate death of a minor boy who was swept away in an open drain in the Unit III area. 

According to a press release shared by the I&PR Department, the suspended assistant engineer is Santosh Kumar Das. 

On June 18, a nine-year-old boy was swept away in an open drain in Unit III area. Expressing his deepest condolences, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the bereaved family. 

Also Read: Bhubaneswar: Minor boy dies after being swept away in open drain 

State Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr Krushna Chandra Mohapatra had not only visited the spot but also sought a report from the concerned authority. 

After receiving the report today, the state government suspended assistant engineer Das. In the report, it was mentioned that the drain had not been barricaded and Das was held responsible for it.