Odisha ends contract with firm after flyover collapse
Bhubaneswar, May 7: The Odisha government on Monday decided to annul a contract with Panda Infra Projects Ltd after a portion of a flyover under construction at Bomikhal here caved last week, killing a labourer.
"The government has decided to disengage Panda Infra Private Ltd from the construction of the Bomikhal flyover with immediate effect," said Works Department Secretary Nalinikanta Pradhan.
He said the government will initiate further legal action against the company after the department receives the final report on the collapse from an expert team.
"The company could not carry out the project work properly even after another mishap last year. An investigation by a third party will be conducted prior to the flyover inauguration," said Pradhan.
Pradhan said that the project's remaining work will be carried out by a new contractor within 2-3 months.
"A tender to complete the remaining project work will be either awarded to another contractor or may be taken up by the department itself. A final decision will be taken after considering all aspects and getting a detailed report," Pradhan added.
One labourer was killed and another sustained serious injuries when the flyover's portion collapsed on May 3 night. In September last year, a portion of the same flyover had collapsed, killing one person.
Company owner Pratap Kishore Panda was arrested in the case.
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UP: BJP MLA falls on rail track while flagging off Vande Bharat train
Etawah (UP), Sep 16: BJP's Etawah MLA Sarita Bhadauriya fell onto the railway tracks while vying to wave the green flag for the Agra-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express here on Monday.
Purported videos of the incident surfaced on social media.
The incident occurred amidst a crowded platform as the train arrived around 6 pm. The 61-year-old second-term BJP lawmaker was among a host of people holding the green flag as they stood at the platform, the video showed.
Following the virtual inauguration of the Vande Bharat train by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the train, numbered 20175, was flagged off by the Rail Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu from Agra.
When contacted by PTI, BJP's Etawah unit treasurer Sanjeev Bhadauriya said, "The MLA was helped off the track and she then waited for some time at the platform for the flag-off event."
"Later she consulted doctors and is resting at her home now. She did not suffer any visible physical injuries. If there is any internal injury, it is yet to be confirmed," Bhadauriya said.
The train made stops at Tundla before arriving at Etawah station. Upon its arrival, a commotion ensued on the platform as various political figures, including Samajwadi Party MP Jitendra Douwhare, former BJP MP Ram Shankar, and current MLA Sarita Bhadauriya, gathered to participate in the flag-off, the videos showed.
As the train's horn signalled its departure, the platform became chaotic with supporters jostling for position. In the ensuing melee, the MLA was pushed off the platform and she fell onto the railway tracks in front of the train, it showed.
The train was stopped in time by bystanders, preventing a major accident. Bhadauriya was quickly rescued from the tracks by the police and taken to the hospital, according to eyewitnesses.
Talking about the operation date for the Vande Bharat Express, PRO Prashasti Srivastava from the Agra division of the railways said that the date will be announced soon.
The train will cover the distance between Agra and Varanasi in approximately seven hours. The return train will operate as number 20176 from Varanasi to Agra, while the Agra-Varanasi service will be number 20175.
Etawah, UP: The flag-off ceremony for the Agra-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express faced chaos due to heavy rush, and BJP's Etawah Sadar MLA, Sarita Bhadoria, fell in front of the train pic.twitter.com/p10CfbDIF0
— IANS (@ians_india) September 16, 2024
