Indus Valley Times

By Addanki Iswar R.

Malkangiri June 2, 2023: In a devastating incident on May 1, two lives were lost due to the collapse of the under construction boundary of an airstrip during a powerful Norwester storm in Malkangiri district. Monoj Hemram, a student, and Tilotoma Benya, the mother of Sunita Banya, a 10th-grade student, were the unfortunate victims of the incident.

Following this tragic event, the District Congress Unit, under the leadership of Sri Govinda Chandra Patra, the District President, has taken up the cause to seek justice for the victims and their families. Today, the District Congress Unit submitted a memorandum to ADM Malkangiri, addressed to Collector Malkangiri, demanding immediate action and justice.

The memorandum calls for a compensation of 20 lakh rupees to be provided to the families of the deceased. Additionally, the District Congress Unit demands that the contractor responsible for the construction of the airstrip boundary be blacklisted. They also seek the dismissal of the R&B engineers involved in overseeing the project.

To emphasize the urgency of their demands, the District Congress Unit has given an ultimatum, setting a deadline of June 9 for the authorities to meet their demands. If the necessary actions are not taken within the given timeframe, they have threatened to paralyze the R&B office.

The incident has revealed that a 5-kilometer and 600-meter-long wall was constructed using low-grade materials, leading to its collapse during the Norwester storm. This revelation has further fueled the demand for accountability and stringent actions against those responsible for compromising the safety of the construction project.

The District Congress Unit is determined to ensure justice for the victims and their families, and they intend to use all available means to pressure the authorities into taking appropriate action. The tragic loss of life highlights the importance of maintaining construction standards and ensuring the safety of infrastructure projects.