Odisha box drain tragedy: CMC grants ex-gratia of Rs 10 Lakh to minor girl’s next of kin

Suranjan Mishra Published On : May 31, 2023 at 4:40 PM

Cuttack: An ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh was sanctioned today to the next of kin of the minor girl who died on Tuesday while undergoing treatment in hospital after sustaining grievous injuries in an old iron bridge collapse incident here, Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) Mayor Subash Chandra Singh said.

Earlier in the day, Mayor Singh held a meeting with senior officials of state Departments after he was vehemently opposed by the local corporator as well as residents and denied entry when Singh visited the fatal accident spot and wanted to meet the minor girl’s family members.

2 minor sisters drown in pond in Odisha’s Puri

Ace badminton player Saina Nehwal visits Jagannath temple at Odisha’s Puri

Meanwhile, CMC Mayor Singh ordered to put up information signage each, immediately to carry out barricading and deploy security guards at all construction sites in Cuttack City.

It is pertinent to mention here that the deceased 16-year-old girl identified as N Mohini belonged to Nua Rausapatana in the city. She was a Plus II student of Emarti Devi Women’s College. The mishap occurred at Gamadia locality of Kesarpur under Puri Ghat police limits in Cuttack City.

Also Read: Odisha: Driver dead as speeding truck rams into stationary pickup van in State Capital

The fatal mishap took place as the bridge built on two box drains along a sewage canal in the city was in dilapidated condition. The girl was passing through the bridge when it collapsed leading to the mishap. She had got trapped between the iron pipes of the bridge, an eyewitness said yesterday.

Despite being informed, neither the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) authorities, which is looking after its maintenance, nor the local administration had reached the spot on time for long hours to carry out a rescue operation, some local residents earlier alleged.

Locals had tried to rescue the girl but failed. A crane was pressed into service and the girl was rescued in critical condition after striving for around 45 minutes and after the iron pipes were uprooted. Following the rescue, the girl was rushed to SCBMCH in Cuttack for treatment, but could not be saved.

“A mishap occurred due to the apathetic attitude of local administration,” the residents rued.