Bhubaneswar: A worker allegedly died in a mishap at gas pipeline worksite of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL) along Cuttack-Paradip road near Kujang in Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur district on Friday.
The deceased has been identified as Parimal Gayan (22), a a resident of Bijaychandpur village under Kujang block.
According to sources, gas leakage was reported in the sump when Parimal, along with six other workers, was engaged in the repair work. “He covered his nose and ears with a piece of cloth, but collapsed immediately after entering the sump. I cried for help and people gathered near the place in large numbers. However, he could not be saved,” said another worker.
On being informed, Fire Services personnel arrived at the scene and retrieved the body from the sump after nearly two hours of effort.
The mishap sparked tension in the area and disrupted traffic on Cuttack-Paradip road, creating inconvenience for commuters.
Concerns are also being raised over safety measures at the worksite. ““We demand strong action against the officials who directed our boy to enter the sump without any proper security measures,” said a family member of the deceased.
The company is yet to release a statement on the incident.
