Three persons, including PWD staff, killed in truck accident in Odisha’s Dhenkanal; protest erupts

Tension ran high near Rekula village under Kamakhyanagar police limits in Odisha’s Dhenkanal after a highway truck rammed into a pickup van late Monday night, claiming three lives and leaving one person critically injured.

Among the deceased, one has been identified as Khirod Sahu, an employee of the Public Works Department. The identities of the other two victims remain unknown.

Sources reported that the tragic incident occurred while road construction was in progress, leading to widespread anger among local residents, who alleged that the contractor violated all safety norms.

Allegations of Negligence Spark Protests

Following the accident, locals accused the contracting agency of negligence in the road work leading to the mishap. Residents claimed that the construction activities were being carried out at night without adequate safety measures, creating hazardous conditions for commuters.

“Early in the morning, there was one accident as the contractor had not barricaded the repair area or placed any warning signs. We asked them to stop the work, but they continued till late night without any visible signs or barricades leading to this fatality,” said a local resident.

ALSO READ: 4 dead, several injured in three separate accidents in Odisha

In protest, angry residents set tires on fire and blocked the Dhenkanal-Kamakhyanagar highway, causing severe traffic disruption.

Meanwhile, the critically injured individual was rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Authorities are working to ascertain the exact cause of the accident and determine accountability, said sources.

Traffic Disruptions and Police Intervention

Till the last report came in, the blockade by protesters left hundreds of vehicles stranded on both sides of the highway. Police had arrived at the scene to control the situation and were making efforts to pacify the demonstrators.

ALSO READ: 2 minor girls die, 2 others critical after consuming 'sattu' provided in Odisha Anganwadi

The concerned contractor is yet to respond to the allegations.