BHUBANESWAR:Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday ordered a high-level probe into the collapse of Bomikhal flyover, the second in nine months, in which a labourer was killed on Thursday night. Another labourer was criticially injured in the mishap.The Chief Minister also announced ex gratia of `5 lakh for the family of the labourer who was killed when a portion of the under-construction flyover caved in. He conveyed his deep sympathy to the bereaved family and announced that the treatment cost of the injured labourer will be borne by the State Government.
Meanwhile, a day after the mishap, Commissionerate Police arrested the managing director of Panda Infraprojects Private Limited which was executing the work. Laxmisagar police registered a case in this regard under Sections 304 (punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 337 (causing hurt by act of endangering life or personal safety of others), 338 (causing grievous hurt by act of endangering life or personal safety of others) and 34 (criminal act done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of IPC. Twin City Commissioner of Police YB Khurania on Friday informed that they have arrested Panda Infraprojects managing director Pratap Kishore Panda in connection with the case. “Following his arrest, Panda was sent to Capital Hospital for medical check-up. He produced his health reports there and was referred to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack after he complained of feeling uneasy,” Bhubaneswar DCP Anup Sahoo told The Express.
The doctors at SCB conducted various tests and found that Panda’s health was stable. The doctors advised him to continue with his medication and opined that there was no need to admit him to hospital, Laxmisagar police station inspector-in-charge Dayanidhi Nayak said. Panda was brought back to the Capital in the evening and produced before a court. Later, he was sent to jail.Sources said Panda underwent treatment related to kidney ailment and produced the document before the doctors of Capital Hospital.
Interestingly, Panda was arrested on similar charges on September 11, last year. He later obtained bail from the court and his company resumed construction works. Meanwhile, Engineer-in-Chief (R&B) Om Prakash Patel told The Express that they visited the spot and inspected the matter. “According to the preliminary investigation, the mishap occurred due to negligence on part of construction firm and labourers,” he said, adding they will soon submit a report in this regard.