Biker critical after iron rod from flyover falls on his head

Sambalpur: A man sustained critical injuries after an iron rod fell on him from an under-construction flyover connecting Church Chowk with Nelson Mandela Chowk here on Tuesday morning.
Panda Infraproject, which was executing the ROB at Bomikhal in Bhubaneswar, is carrying out the construction work of the flyover here. The under-construction flyover project is under the works department.

According to eyewitnesses, Atul Krushna Dash, 45 of Bhimabhoi Nagar was passing below the flyover near Women’s police station on his motorcycle when the iron rod fell on him resultimng in severe head injuries.

Atul lost his sense on the spot. People rushed him to Sambalpur district headquarters hospital. He was later referred to Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), Burla, after his condition deteriorated.

District collector Samarth Verma ordered that the flyover work be stopped following the incident.

“I have already asked them to stop the work. There is heavy flow of traffic on the road. Hence, we have decided not to allow the firm to carry out the work on the flyover during the day time till traffic can be diverted through another route, he said.

Executive engineer of works department Gauranga Charan Sahu said, “Few days back, we had asked the construction firm to stop the work and make adequate security arrangements. Though the firm stopped shuttering and concrete work, it continued other works such as bracketing. The iron rod fell when the bracketing work was underway,” he said. “I will write to the district administration that we should not allow the construction firm to carry out flyover work till traffic is diverted,” he added.

“It is really surprising that the construction firm is taking no step for the safety and security of the people during the construction work here. Had they taken safety measures and barricaded the area, such an incident would not have taken place,” said Bablu Sarangi, a resident.