Bhubaneswar: Odisha government today suspended four officials- two each from Berhampur Electrical Division and Rural Development Department on charges of dereliction in duty that led to the death of ten persons in the fatal accident at Mendarajpur Junction under Rangeilunda block in Ganjam district on Sunday. Following a preliminary inquiry, State Energy Minister Dibyashankar Mishra said that Debasish Nayak and Biswaranjan Mohapatra, posted as Junior Engineer and Assistant Engineer, respectively at the Berhampur Electrical Division along with a Junior Engineer and Assistant Engineer of Rural Development Department have been placed under suspension.
The mishap reportedly occurred when a part of the bus carrying around 40 passengers caught fire after coming in contact with an 11 kv power transmission line. All the passengers were en route to Chikarada village from Dangalpadu to attend an engagement ceremony.
As per official sources, the height of the bus is almost 12 ft having a luggage carrier atop while the ground clearance from the 11kv conductor is also 12 ft at the mishap site.
In view of this, the Minister said that the height of 11 kv wires should be at least 20 ft above the ground, which hasn't been the case here. "The 11kv electric wire will be lifted as it should be at a height of 20 feet above the road. The junior engineers will identify all the vulnerable spots where wires are hanging below the required level and inform the Circle Superintending engineer. Post identification process, steps will be taken to increase the ground clearance. A special workshop will also be organised to ensure safety measures are followed by all concerned departments," Mishra said.
Earlier today, the authorised officer of Southco utility issuing a report about the transmission line at the site blamed the RD department and mentioned that the department had converted the rural road to a concrete road almost filling 3-4 ft and causing less ground clearance of the said road in 2018.
"In this connection, the Executive Engineer BED-III, Berhampur framed an estimate and submitted it to the Executive Engineer, Ganjam RD Division, Berhampur on July 4, 2018. Moreover, Biswa Ranjan Mohapatra, SDO Kanisi has been constantly pursuing the matter with the RD department for depositing the estimated amount to take up the work immediately on safety ground. However, further inquiry will be carried out to take suitable action against the employees of Southco, if at all found guilty," read the report of Southco.
On the other hand, State Transport Minister Padmanabha Behera had blamed the electricity department and bus driver for the mishap. A detailed probe would be initiated to ascertain whether the bus had route permit, he said.