Boat capsize: Locals gherao Odisha Minister Pratap Deb demanding all-weather bridge

Kendrapara: Incensed villagers today gheraoed Odisha Energy Minister and local MLA Pratap Keshari Deb demanding the construction of a bridge, following the death of a 14-year-old boy in a boat capsize incident that took place near Ekamania Ghat of Brahmani river under Aul tehsil in Kendrapara.

Three persons drowned in the river following a boat capsize early this morning. While one person was rescued and a body was fished out by ODRAF and fire personnel, one more body was yet to be traced till the filing of the story.

The villagers expressed their angst when the people’s representative visited the spot later in the day. The situation was brought under control after assurance from the leader that a bridge will soon be built.

“Tendering for an all-weather bridge was started in 2012. But, no bidder turned up and the project got delayed.  Later on due to several reasons, things got unusually delayed and construction of the proposed bridge could not begin. The Central government earlier negated a bridge on the ground of rivers interlinking project, the local MLA explained to the protesting locals.

“Initially, the bridge project was proposed with an estimated cost of around Rs 37 crore. Alternatively, I had proposed a vented causeway on the Brahmani river to connect Ekamania with Keradagada, which will be much lower than the current estimated cost and take less time to get completed. Even, heavy vehicles will be able to move on it,” the Minister stated.

Worth mentioning, the boat was on its way to Keradagad of Rajnagar from Ekamania in the district. Around 15-20 passengers were onboard along with three motorcycles. While the body of the minor was retrieved from the river after a frantic search, the boatman who had gone missing in the mishap has not been traced yet.

The locals resorted to protest by staging a roadblock by keeping the body on the road when the Minister visited the spot. The body was released for post-mortem after getting assurance from the Minister.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condoled the loss of lives and granted an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and extended his compassion to the bereaved family.

The boat capsized early in the morning at around 5.40 AM due to the overloading of passengers, an eyewitness opined.