Reta project spillway collapse: 3-member tech panel to probe

Bhawanipatana: A day after the spillway of under construction Reta Irrigation project in Narla collapsed leaving one dead, Kalahandi Collector today ordered an inquiry into the incident even as police arrested the site in-charge of the project for dereliction of duties.

A 3-member technical committee headed by Project Director, DRDA, will probe the matter. Chief Engineer (Construction) and Executive Engineer will also be in the panel.

Arrested site in-charge Dusasan Nayak will be produced before a local court today, Narla police said. Engineer Upendra Mahananda is absconding.

Under-construction spillway of the project at Kutingapadar near Narla caved in on Wednesday due to alleged weak centring following which a labourer working under it died. Similarly, a fellow labourer sustained critical injuries. He was rushed to district headquarters hospital and later shifted to Burla for better treatment.

Narla police registered a sou motu case after the incident.