Bhubaneswar: Two persons were injured, one grievously, after a speeding Mo Bus hit them near the petrol pump at Chandrasekharpur here on Saturday morning. The Mo Bus, travelling from Patia towards Nalco Square, first hit a 29-year-old woman, severing her hand, and then hit a 25-year-old man. Both were rushed to Capital Hospital for treatment. The bus driver fled from the spot after the accident.
Following the accident, locals blocked the Jayadev Vihar-Nandankanan road, one of the busiest arteries in the city, and detained 15 Mo Buses operating on the route for three hours. The blockade caused severe traffic congestion on the road affecting commuters. The agitators demanded suitable compensation for both the injured. “She worked at a beauty parlour. We demand compensation for her,” said Jayanti Ojha, a local resident. Prashant Patra, who witnessed the accident, said their attempts to stop the speeding bus were futile. “Mo Bus drivers are operating recklessly, posing significant safety risk to pedestrians and commuters in the city,” he alleged.

Chandrasekharpur police have registered a case in connection with the accident and later detained the driver after identification. “Preliminary investigation indicates the woman was crossing the road when she was hit by the Mo Bus,” said Chandrasekharpur police station inspector in-charge, Prakash Chandra Majhi. “We have detained the driver and launched an investigation into the accident. Prima facie it seems the girl was crossing the road when the Mo Bus coming from Patia side hit her leaving her critically injured,” DCP Pinak Mishra said.
Mishra said the blockade by the locals caused severe traffic congestion but the police team managed to pacify the protesters and cleared the road. “Proper action will be taken against the bus driver,” the DCP said. Reports of reckless drivers of Mo Buses, operated by Capital Region Urban Transport, have become increasingly prevalent, sources said. “They should be trained well,” said Piyush Rout, a city-based urban planner.