Berhampur Crash Investigation: STA Team Visits Haladiapadar Overbridge Site
A three-member crash investigation team from the State Transport Authority (STA) conducted a site visit on Sunday at the Haladiapadar overbridge near Berhampur. This follows a tragic accident on Saturday where a speeding truck collided with three motorcycles, resulting in the deaths of five individuals.
Minister Orders Probe into Fatal Incident
In response to the accident, Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena mandated an investigation by the specialized team. The team's objective was to examine various factors surrounding the crash, including the truck's fitness, potential driver error, and other contributing elements, as confirmed by a senior transport officer.
Preliminary Findings and Driver's Arrest
Regional Transport Officer (RTO) of Chhatrapur, Debasish Swain, stated that initial checks revealed the truck possessed all valid documents. Police subsequently arrested the driver, identified as 38-year-old Pradeep Jani from Gudiapalli, on Sunday. Jani held a valid driving license at the time of the incident.
Superintendent of Police (Berhampur) Saravana Vivek M. emphasized that the investigation into the precise cause of the accident is ongoing, with authorities diligently working to uncover all details.
Ex-Gratia Compensation and Victim Details
Minister Jena, along with Ganjam Collector Keerthi Vasan V, visited the bereaved families on Sunday to offer condolences. They distributed an ex-gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh per family, as announced by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
The victims of this devastating accident have been identified as:
- Surya Narayan Panda, 41, from Ayodhya Nagar, employed in a courier service.
- Sibaram Jena, 35, a resident of Gunthuband.
- Satya Narayan Bej, 40, from Khariaguda.
- Jagan Nahak, 20, and Rakesh Nahak, 22, both from Phulta.
Notably, Jagan Nahak, who worked for a private company in Chennai, was on a 15-day leave and was scheduled to return to duty on Monday. He had planned to depart by train on Saturday evening, adding a layer of poignancy to the tragedy.
Concerns Over Bridge Design and Safety
Berhampur MP Pradeep Panigrahy highlighted longstanding concerns regarding the Haladiapadar railway overbridge, attributing its faulty design to frequent accidents. He revealed that a formal letter was submitted to the Chief Minister on October 1 of the previous year, urging immediate rectification of the structural issues to prevent further tragedies.
This incident underscores critical questions about road safety infrastructure and regulatory oversight in the region, prompting calls for swift action to address identified hazards.
