BARGARH: In repetition of Bomikhal incident in Bhubaneswar on September 10, the last span of an under-construction bridge over river Jeera in Bheden block of the district collapsed on Sunday. Though no casualty was reported in the incident, five persons sustained injuries and were rushed to Bheden CHC and later shifted to Bargarh District Headquarters Hospital.
The high-level bridge was being executed by Padmpur-based contractor Amarjit Agrawal at an estimated cost of Rs 8.5 crore and was almost complete. While eight slabs of the bridge had already been laid, the work on the last span was underway when the accident took place. According to sources, 11 persons were working on the bridge when the accident took place. The bridge once completed will connect village Jamdol with Dhubenpali in the block.
On being informed, Bargarh Collector Khagendra Kumar Padhee rushed to the hospital and enquired the well-being of the injured persons who were identified as Surendra Naik, Rajat Naik, Aswini Ghadei, Pramod Sahu and Narada Naik.
Superintendent Engineer, Rural Work Circle, Sambalpur, Ranjan Kuamr Kar said the cause of collapse cannot be ascertained immediately nut a probe will be ordered to find out the reason. Stringent action will be taken if any deviation is found in the construction work, he added.
The sources there was not much traffic under the bridge when the slab collapsed as it was Sunday. Incidentaly, the Bhubaneswar mishap also took place on Sunday.
Three engineers suspended
Bhubaneswar: The State Government on Sunday suspended three engineers including the Executive Engineer for collapse of under-construction bridge on Jeera river. The bridge was being constructed under the Biju Setu Yojana (BSY). Rural Development Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha said the three suspended engineers are Executive Engineer Amulya Mohapatra, Assistant Executive Engineer Kamalakanta Taria and the junior engineer. He said the reasons behind the bridge collapse will be inquired into.