Bhubaneswar: In a shocking case of negligence, a 34-year-old skilled worker from West Bengal died after boiling mastic asphalt spilt on him during late-night work on the Pokhariput flyover. The incident, which occurred on April 9, has sparked outrage over the silence of the authorities and the absence of any compensation or arrest.

Tragic End on the Job

Mahidul Sheikh, a resident of Murshidabad, was transporting hot, liquefied mastic asphalt when the substance spilt on his body. The incident happened at night under poor lighting conditions. He was rushed to Capital Hospital and later shifted to a private facility, where he succumbed to burn injuries on April 19.

No Aid, No Action

Unlike the Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia announced in the Khannagar crane tragedy, no financial assistance has been declared in this Asphalt Mastic Death case. Mahidul’s widow, Anjana Khatoon (32), is left to fend for herself and her family without shelter or income.

Police File UD Case, Contractor Vanishes

Despite the severity of the incident, the Airfield Police Station has only registered an Unnatural Death (UD) case (FIR No. 9/25). This has raised questions over the intent of the investigation. The contractor responsible for the work has reportedly gone underground. All other laborers were quickly removed from the site, and work has been halted.

Minister’s Name Misused, Crores in Contracts

Sources allege the contractor frequently drops the name of a Works Department Minister to secure lucrative contracts across divisions. This has led to growing suspicion that political backing is shielding him from accountability.

Past Incidents Show Stark Contrast

In previous similar incidents, strict action was taken. The owner of Panda Infra was arrested after the Bomikhal flyover collapse. Dillip Khatoi, another contractor, was blacklisted following a fatal mishap at the Biju Patnaik International Airport. In contrast, the Asphalt Mastic Death has been virtually ignored.

Workers Unions Threaten Protest

Angered by the inaction, several worker unions have issued ultimatums. They have warned of street protests if compensation is not paid to Mahidul’s family and the contractor is not arrested.

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Bhubaneswar: Even though the Odisha Government is floating several schemes for welfare of workers, lack of safety measures and personal protective equipment and lack of monitoring at construction sites is leading to hundreds of accidents, injuries and even fatalities in the State. To make matters worse, the employers or contractors, who are flouting the safety laws are going unpunished despite strict laws to protect workers.

Worker Killed by Boiling Mastic Asphalt

A glaring example is the recent death of a West Bengal worker who died while laying mastic asphalt on a road in capital city Bhubaneswar. The deceased was bringing boiling liquefied mastic asphalt when it fell on him. He was initially rushed to the Capital Hospital and later to a private hospital where he succumbed to the injuries while undergoing treatment. Sources said the laying of mastic asphalt was done hurriedly by the contractor at night in complete darkness.

Contractor Accused of Hushing Up Death

But the worker’s death did not come to the knowledge of the media. The concerned contractor who claims to be a close associate of the Works Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, cunningly hushed up the matter in a bid to escape from paying compensation claims to the family of the deceased. The family of the worker, besides, has been deprived of its sole breadwinner and has been deprived of food and shelter.

Contractor Goes Underground

The incident took place more than a week ago. The work at the site has been stopped by the contractor and all the labourers have been whisked away somewhere else. The contractor has also gone underground.

The aforesaid contractor is using the Minister’s name and is bagging contracts worth crores of rupees in different divisions of the Works Department.

Authorities Silent, Unions Threaten Stir

Notably, earlier the owner of Panda Infra executing the Bomikhal flyover work, was arrested after a person died when a portion of the flyover collapsed. Similarly, a contractor Dillip Khatoi who was executing a work in the Biju Patnaik International Airport was blacklisted when a portion of a building collapsed killing a worker.

But the death of the worker while laying mastic asphalt has been hushed under the carpet by the Works Department authorities instead of filing a FIR against the contractor.

Meanwhile, several worker unions have warned that if action is not taken against the guilty contractor soon and compensation is not paid to the family of the deceased, they would take to the streets.

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