Bhubaneswar: The large hoarding, which came crashing down in Bhubaneswar’s Aiginia here during a spell of gusty wind on Tuesday and killed two people, was installed illegally, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Chanchal Rana informed on Wednesday.
“The hoarding was installed illegally by a private agency and the BMC has lodged a complaint with police in this regard last night,” he told reporters.
The display billboard was mounted on a metal frame near Aiginia Durga Mandap along Patrapada-Aiginia stretch, where several display hoardings dot the roadside.
Rana further stated that financial assistance has been provided to the families of the deceased and those injured in the incident from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. “We have also requested the government for higher ex-gratia. The collector has been informed. The RI report is ready and will be sent to the SRC for additional ex-gratia in accordance with norms pertaining to Nor’wester mishaps. We are hopeful that it will be processed within 24 hours,” he said.
The BMC Commissioner said that the civic body had already begun addressing the proliferation of hoardings in January. “Since large numbers of hoardings have come up at some places, a tender was floated about seven days ago to empanel agencies for their removal. It is expected to be finalised by March,” he added.
Reacting to the tragedy, Mayor Sulochana Das announced that all hoardings lacking structural safety certificates would be removed immediately. She emphasised that agencies responsible for unsafe installations would face strict action, including potential blacklisting.
The Tuesday incident took place when the victims – Tuna Gouda and Sachitananda Pradhan – and a few others took shelter near a shop under the large hoarding as strong winds swept through the area. The structure collapsed within seconds, trapping them beneath. A woman, Mausumi Nayak, who was also present at the spot, sustained injuries in the incident.
Earlier this morning, family members of the deceased and locals blocked the highway seeking justice.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has expressed grief over the death of two persons and announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh each for the next of kin of the victims.
