BJD Demands Investigation After Cuttack Railway Station Roof Collapse

On March 6, 2024, the roof of Platform-1 at Cuttack Railway Station collapsed, prompting immediate calls for an investigation by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). The party characterized the incident as “unfortunate” and attributed the cause to negligence on the part of the railway department and the contractor involved in ongoing construction works.

BJD leaders are demanding a comprehensive probe into the circumstances surrounding the roof collapse and insist on stringent action against those deemed responsible. They argue that the slow pace of modernization and repair efforts at the station has been a significant inconvenience for passengers and believe this incident highlights serious flaws in the oversight of current construction activities.

Local Leaders Respond to the Incident

Following the collapse, local BJD representatives swiftly visited the site. Souvic Biswal, the MLA for Choudwar-Cuttack, along with Cuttack Mayor Subash Singh and district BJD president Prafulla Singh, inspected the damage and coordinated rescue operations. Biswal emphasized the need for the immediate completion of long-overdue construction projects at the station, expressing concern for public safety.

Mayor Singh criticized the contractor’s apparent lack of diligence, noting that one individual was injured and required hospitalization. He highlighted the fortuitous timing of the incident, stating that the Vande Bharat Express had just passed through the platform moments before the collapse, potentially averting a larger tragedy.

Calls for Accountability and Future Safety Measures

Singh urged the railway department to take proactive measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. He underscored the importance of ensuring that safety standards are upheld during construction, particularly at such a high-traffic location as Cuttack Railway Station. The BJD’s demands for accountability reflect broader concerns about infrastructure safety amid ongoing modernization efforts in the region.

The incident has sparked discussions about the adequacy of current safety protocols and the effectiveness of project management in public infrastructure projects. As investigations begin, the BJD’s leadership remains steadfast in its call for transparency and accountability in the handling of the incident.