One dead, several injured in multiple road accidents across Odisha

A person died while several others sustained serious injuries in separate accidents that rocked Odisha on Sunday, the Union Budget day.

As per reports, one person was killed and another critically injured after a police vehicle rammed into a motorcycle near a petrol pump turning at Bangomunda area in Bolangir district.

The deceased has been identified as Muna Mahanand of Gandharla village under Sindhekela police station. The critically injured person is Ashish Suna of Salemudaga village.

According to reports, a police vehicle from Kantabanji police station was travelling from Kantabanji towards Bangomunda. While negotiating the turn near the petrol pump, the police vehicle collided head-on with a motorcycle coming from the opposite direction.

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As a result of the impact, Muna Mahanand, who was riding the motorcycle, died on the spot. The injured pillion rider, Ashish Suna, was rushed to Kantabanji hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment.

Meanwhile, the police vehicle involved in the accident has been kept at Bangomunda police station. An investigation into the incident is underway.

In another accident, a car skidded off the road at Chudangpur in Ganjam district.

As per reports, the car climbed onto the culvert wall on the roadside and then fell off the road. The driver was injured in the accident.

Meanwhile in Berhampur of Ganjam district, structural flaws that emerged after the construction of the Haldiapadar railway overbridge have once again come to light. The Haldiapadar overbridge, which has been open to traffic since 2013-14, remains uneven and narrow. The presence of sharp turns or curves at several places, the absence of approach roads on both sides, and footpaths of varying widths have led to frequent major accidents.

Questions are being raised over the mistakes of engineers and administrative apathy. Eyewitnesses said on Sunday that while overtaking, a truck suddenly ran over three motorcycles. Many believe that the narrow road, steep bridge and zigzag alignment are the main causes of the accident.