Bridge mishap in Cuttack: 3-member probe team to submit report in 15 days, says Odisha Law Minister

Odisha government has formed a three-member team to probe into the incident in which three workers died and two others sustained grievous injuries yesterday during the construction of a bridge in Khannagar locality in Cuttack City. The probe team is to submit its report in 15 days, state Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said on Sunday.

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According to sources, the Law Minister stated that if there had been no faults, such a major accident would not have occurred. It will become clear who was at fault and action will be taken based on the report. He has briefed the Chief Minister about the fatal incident.

3-member team begins probe

The investigation team, along with local Sub-Collector, officials from Labour Department, and an Executive Engineer of the Works Department, has reached the site and started the inquiry. It has been learnt that the accident occurred when a crane collapsed while lifting a slab. The root cause and responsibility of the accident will be clarified once probed.

The incident occurred on Saturday evening, when a ready-made concrete slab, being lifted by a crane for the under-construction bridge on Kathajodi River, collapsed. The falling slab crushed five workers on site, including an engineer and two labourers. All five victims were rushed to SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH). While two labourers were declared ‘brought dead’, the engineer also succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment.

The bridge construction work is part of a larger infrastructure project that followed the inauguration of a new bus terminal in Khannagar locality. However, the tragic incident has raised serious safety concerns surrounding the execution of the infrastructure project.

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“As per a preliminary investigation, the accident occurred due to the breakdown of a crane while carrying a slab.  More information about the incident could be divulged after further investigation. Preliminary investigation has revealed that the victims are from Odisha and West Bengal,” Cuttack DCP Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo expressed to mediapersons.

The condition of the two remaining critically injured persons is not out of danger now.