Patna Metro accident: Odisha Minister express grief over death of two Odia labourers

Bhubaneswar, Oct 29 (IANS) Odisha Labour Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia on Tuesday expressed deep grief over the death of two labourers from Odisha in the metro tunnel construction accident in Patna.

He also assured to give adequate compensation to the deceased's family members after completion of the verification process. Singh Khuntia has also stated that the state government will talk to the Bihar counterpart over the issue.

Speaking to media persons here on Tuesday, the labour minister said that the state labour department authorities here on Tuesday early morning received information from reliable sources that out of the seven victims, three hail from Odisha. Two of them died while another Odia victim who sustained severe injuries in the mishap is currently undergoing treatment at the Patna Medical College and Hospital.

“Following the receipt of information regarding the incident, we immediately deputed Satyanarayan Acharya, District Labour Officer (DLO), Bhubaneswar, to the incident spot in Patna in Bihar. He will investigate the matter immediately after reaching there. The districts to which the deceased persons belonged are yet to be ascertained. The Adhar verification is on to find out their complete identity details,” said Singh Khuntia.

The labour minister also revealed that the deceased from Odisha were identified as Manoj and Shyam Babu. Meanwhile, another Odia victim identified as Bijay who has sustained serious injuries is currently undergoing treatment at the Patna Medical College and Hospital.  

Notably, at least three workers were killed and four others sustained serious injuries during the construction of an underground tunnel for the Patna Metro. The incident occurred near the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Mor on Ashok Rajpath late Monday night.

According to reports, the accident happened when a loco machine, used to transport materials within the tunnel, experienced a brake failure.

Due to the malfunction, several workers were caught in the path of the locomotive machine. Seven workers came under the impact of the machine and one of them died on the spot. The injured workers were rescued and rushed to the nearby Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) where two workers succumbed to injuries.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), overseeing the construction, has confirmed the incident and initiated an investigation into the cause of the brake failure.