Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh for the family of the minor boy who died after falling into an open drain in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.
The chief minister expressed his condolences to the family of eight-year-old Abu Bakr who was swept away in the open drain in Masjid Colony in Unit III of the city amid heavy rain in the afternoon. He also announced financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh for the family. It will be paid from the State Disaster Response Fund.
The chief minister also expressed concern over loss of human lives due to uncovered drains in the capital city. He directed the officials concerned to take urgent steps to cover the open drains and resolve the drainage problem in the city.
According to sources, the minor boy fell into the drain while he was collecting a balloon. As the water flow was very strong inside the drain due to heavy rain, he was swept boy.
The Fire Service personnel with the help of the locals found the boy from a canal near Laxmisagar in a critical condition after hour-long search operation. They rushed him to Capital Hospital. But the doctors announced him dead in the hospital.
It may be noted that the open drains have turned into killer traps during monsoon as those have claimed several lives in the past. A 15-year-old boy, Jyoti Prakash Behera, was swept away by stormwater in an open drain in Shatabdi Nagar of the city in September 2021. His body was recovered almost 20 hours later by rescue team.
Also Read: 8-Year-Old Boy Dies After Being Swept Away In Open Drain In Bhubaneswar Amid Heavy Rain
