Kendrapada: Energy Minister Pratap Keshari Deb was gheraoed by villagers following the death of a minor boy in a boat capsize in Odisha’s Kendrapada district on Thursday.
As per reports, the boat ferrying around 30 passengers across Brahmani river in Aul block of the district capsized on the day. Three persons went missing in the incident.
Later, personnel of ODRAF and Fire Brigade rescued one persons and found the body of the 14-year-old boy from deep water. Boatman Sudarshan Swain was still missing.
On getting information, Deb, who is the local MLA, went to the spot to take stock of the situation. As soon as he arrived at the spot, the agitated villagers gheraoed him accusing the government of neglecting their demand for construction of a bridge over the river.
The Minister told the villagers that the government had already initiated the process for constructing the bridge at a cost of Rs 37 crore. But it has been delayed as no bidder has come forward to take up the project, he added.
“Due to the dealy, I had proposed to construct a vented causeway on the Brahmani to connect Ekamania with Keradagada. Its cost and construction time would be less. But it would serve the communication needs of all types of vehicles,” Deb said.
Following the minister’s assurance of starting the work soon, the villagers called off their agitation. Later, chief minister Naveen Patnaik announced ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the family members of the deceased boy.
Also Read: Boy Dies, 1 Missing As Boat Capsizes In Odisha; CM Announces Rs 4 Lakh Ex-Gratia For Kin Of Deceased
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