Keonjhar: Four persons lost their lives in two separate road accidents within 24 hours in Joda area of Keonjhar district.
Three men died and three others were critically injured in a head-on collision between two motorcycles on the Ranasal-Bamebari Expressway near a school in Joda on Monday night. The deceased were identified as Gopal Munda, Tala Munda and Kana Munda, all aged between 35 and 40 years. They were residents of Joda and Koida block.
The accident occurred around 9 pm when two speeding motorcycles carrying six persons collided on what is reportedly the state’s longest flyover. Three victims died on the spot, while the others were rushed to Tata Steel Hospital, Joda.
CM Mohan Charan Majhi announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the bereaved families. “I am deeply saddened by the news of the road accident. My thoughts are with the grieving families,” the CM wrote on X.
In another accident on Tuesday morning, Parameswar Mohanta from Sijukala village was killed when his motorcycle was hit by a car and subsequently run over by a truck on NH-520 near Belipada. While the car’s occupants escaped unhurt, Mohanta died on the spot.
IIC of Joda police station, Sushanta Pradhan, said investigation was going on in both cases. The truck driver from the second accident fled the scene and remains at large.
The incidents sparked protests, with locals staging a road blockade citing poor infrastructure. “The flyover has become a death trap. Despite previous fatal accidents, no preventive measures were taken,” said a resident.
Local authorities are now under pressure to implement permanent safety measures, including functional streetlights and speed control mechanisms, to prevent further casualties.