Berhampur: At least five people were killed and several others injured after a speeding truck rammed into three motorcycles on the National Highway at Haladiapadar Square in Odisha’s Berhampur on Saturday.
Following the mishap, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep grief over the loss of life and announced financial assistance of Rs four lakh each for the next of kin of those killed. The ex-gratia money would be released from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF). Majhi also gave direction for ensuring appropriate medical treatment to the injured.
The tragic mishap triggered chaos at the spot, with bodies found lying scattered on the road and traffic movement coming to a standstill.
As per information, the truck was moving on the wrong side of the National Highway when it hit multiple two-wheelers. The truck reportedly rammed into three motorcycles and ran over the victims. Five people were reportedly killed on the spot in the collision.
The deceased have been identified Surya Narayan Panda of Ayodhya Nagar, Berhampur, Jagan Na
hak and Rakesh Nahak both from Fulta, Sibaram Jena of Patrapur and Satyanarayan Bej.
Around eight others sustained injuries in the accident and were rushed to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur for treatment.
Police and district officials rushed to the spot soon after the incident. An investigation has been launched to ascertain the exact sequence of events.
It was not immediately clear whether the truck driver had been caught. Further details are awaited.
Following the mishap, Berhampur MP Pradip Panigrahi termed the Haldiapadar Railway Over-bridge (ROB) as accident-prone, attributing the recurring mishaps to its faulty and unscientific design. Holding the department concerned responsible, he alleged gross negligence in the planning and execution of the over-bridge.
Panigrahi said he had earlier drawn the attention of the State government to the issue and had formally intimated Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi through a letter in October 2025.
Describing the ROB as a ‘death trap’, the MP said the tragic loss of five young lives was a direct consequence of official apathy and flawed infrastructure.
Demanding immediate corrective action, the Berhampur MP called for a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister to address the alarming rise in road accidents. He also sought the formation of a high-level committee to investigate the causes of the increasing number of road accident fatalities in Ganjam district.