Bhubaneswar flyover collapse: Businessman dead, 5-yr-old daughter critical

Fifteen people were injured after the centering used to support the concrete slab collapsed while the slab was being laid connecting two of the pillars on Cuttack Road in Bomikhal area of the city.

A businessman taking his daughter to dance class was killed while 15 others were injured after a small portion of an under construction flyover bridge collapsed in Bhubaneswar this afternoon.

The under construction railway flyover bridge in Odisha’s Bhubaneswar district that collapsed on Sunday.(HT Photo)

Businessman Satya Patnaik (40) taking his daughter Sheetal to dance class was killed on the spot as a portion of the under construction flyover collapsed throwing debris all around.

Officials said the centering used to support the concrete slab collapsed while the slab was being laid connecting two of the pillars on Cuttack Road in Bomikhal area of the city. While a dozen workers on the bridge fell down, those under were hurt. The collapsed portion was part of a railway overbridge.

Patnaik, who was crossing the road on a scooter with his daughter riding pillion died on the spot while his 12-year-old daughter Sheetal is being treated at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. The girl is said to be critical.

Three to four persons are still reported to be trapped under the rubble. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik announced Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia for kin of deceased and free treatment of injured.

The under-construction flyover project was under public works department held by the chief minister himself. The work is was being executed by Panda Infra. Work on the overbridge has been going on at a snail’s pace. Public Works Department secretary Nalinikant Pradhan said two engineers have already been suspended.

10 fire tenders, three units of ODRAF have launched a massive search and rescue operation at the spot. Senior officials informed that cutters, cranes from Cuttack have also been sought to expedite the ongoing operations.

Bhubaneswar police commissioner YB Khurania said rescue operation are going on at full swing on the spot. “The contractors will be arrested soon and held responsible for this criminal negligence.”