Bhubaneswar open drain claims another life, civic negligence alleged

In a tragic incident highlighting alleged civic negligence, an open drain claimed yet another life in the Odisha capital on Thursday. A man reportedly died after falling into an uncovered drain in the Salia Sahi area under Bhubaneswar, triggering public outrage and renewed concerns over public safety and infrastructure maintenance.

The deceased has been identified as Sinu Gagrai, a resident of Salia Sahi. According to local sources, the drain had been dug up by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) as part of a road construction project in the area. However, the drain was allegedly left open without proper barricading or warning signs, posing a serious risk to pedestrians.

Drains Left Uncovered

Eyewitnesses said Sinu Gagrai accidentally slipped and fell into the open drain, sustaining severe head injuries in the process. He was immediately rushed to Capital Hospital by locals, where doctors declared him dead. The incident has left residents of the area shocked and angry, with many blaming the civic authorities for failing to ensure basic safety measures at the construction site.

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Local residents alleged that repeated complaints had been made earlier regarding the uncovered drain, but no action was taken to secure the area. They further claimed that poor lighting and a lack of warning boards worsened the situation, especially during night hours.

Residents Demand Accountability

The incident has once again brought the spotlight to the issue of uncovered drains and unsafe construction practices in the city, which have reportedly caused several accidents in the past. Despite the seriousness of the matter, no official response or clarification has been received from the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation so far.

Meanwhile, residents have demanded accountability and immediate steps to prevent such tragedies in the future.