Bhubaneswar: 5T Chairman V K Pandian talked to District Magistrates of Keonjhar and Ganjam to help out the victims of tragic accident in which eight persons from two families were killed and seven others sustained injuries.
All the victims were from Ganjam and Shri Pandian expressing concern over the matter advised both the DMs to take care of the victims.
Eight people were killed and seven others critically injured after their vehicle rammed into a stationary truck on National Highway-20 near Ghatagaon in Keonjhar district on today morning.
According to police, the four wheeler vehicle with 20 passengers from Pudamari village in Ganjam district was on its way to Maa Tarini shrine in the Ghatagaon when it rammed into a truck parked by the roadside.
Keonjhar SP Nitin Kushalkar said that members from two families were on the way to Ghatagaon from their native place in Ganjam district to offer puja at Maa Tarini shrine when this tragic accident happened.
“The van was speeding when the accident happened. As it was foggy, it is likely that the driver could not see the truck,” said Keonjhar SP Kusalkar Nitin Dagudu.
The deceased were identified as Mita Pradhan, her son Akash, daughter-in-law Lili. Similarly, members of another family who died were identified as Bayakhand Gauda, Madan Gauda, Mamina Gauda, Babina Gauda. Police were yet to ascertain the name of another deceased member of the Gauda family.
Soon after the incident, the injured were admitted to Ghatagaon hospital for treatment and later shifted to Keonjhar district hospital and SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack after their health deteriorated.
Incidentally, the tragic mishap occurred on the first day of Zero Fatality Week, a campaign launched by the Transport Department to curb road accident deaths.
Expressing grief over the death of eight persons in the road accident, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced an ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased.
Besides extending condolences to the bereaved families, the CM also ordered free medical treatment to the 12 injured and wished them speedy recovery.
Chairman 5T and Nabin Odisha V K Pandian spoke to both Collectors of Keonjhar and Ganjam to facilitate coordination and help the victims with utmost care.
Road accidents claimed 25,934 lives in the State during the last five years (2018 to 2022), Commerce and Transport Transport Minister Tukuni Sahu informed the Assembly recently.
The Minister has informed that 54,790 accidents were reported in the State during the five years in which 25,934 people died and 51,873 were injured.