Bhubaneswar, February 25 – Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced on Wednesday that each of the families of the two people who died after an advertising billboard collapsed on them in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday evening would receive a compensation of Rs 4 lakh.
According to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), the Chief Minister expressed deep sorrow over the tragic deaths of Tuna Gouda and Sachidananda Pradhan, who were killed when a billboard collapsed on them in the Aiginia area of the city.
The Chief Minister also announced that financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh each would be provided to the families of the deceased from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF).
According to reports, a Nor'wester storm brought a sudden change in weather conditions, accompanied by strong winds and heavy rainfall, which caused widespread disruption in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday evening.
Due to the strong winds, a large advertising billboard installed near the Aiginia Durga Mandap collapsed suddenly, killing two people and damaging several nearby shops.
Local residents present at the scene rescued the victims trapped under the billboard and rushed them to Capital Hospital, where doctors declared them dead.
Upon being informed, police and fire services personnel reached the scene and cleared the road that had been blocked due to the collapsed billboard.
Meanwhile, the families and relatives of the deceased staged a protest on Wednesday by blocking the National Highway at Aiginia, expressing anger over the incident and demanding justice.
The protest disrupted normal traffic movement and caused inconvenience to commuters travelling along the busy route.
The blockade was later lifted after senior police officials and local administration representatives reached the scene and held discussions with the aggrieved families.
The authorities assured the families of all necessary assistance and administrative support.
Following these assurances, the protesting families agreed to lift the blockade, restoring normal traffic movement in the area.
