Bhubaneswar: The tragic collapse of a girder at the under-construction Khannagar bridge in Cuttack has claimed three lives, sending shockwaves across Odisha. The incident has exposed glaring deficiencies in execution, monitoring, and contractor accountability in public infrastructure projects.

Questionable Contractor: RKD Constructions Under Fire

At the center of the storm is RKD Constructions Pvt Ltd, the same firm previously held responsible for faulty bridge construction over the Udanti river in Nuapada. Despite this track record, RKD was awarded another high-risk urban project.

Experts are now raising red flags about the contractor selection process, questioning transparency and alleging favoritism under the previous government.

PMC and Authority Engineer: Silent Spectators?

The Project Management Consultant (PMC) and authority engineer, M/s Chaitanya, are also under the scanner. Coordination failures and lack of basic operational oversight have been cited as major contributors to the disaster.

Unanswered questions include:

• Did the girder fail during lifting or after falling?

• Was the crane operated in automation mode?

• Was the operator distracted—possibly using a mobile phone?

The PMC’s poor risk assessment and weak supervision have come under sharp criticism.

Probe or Whitewash?

The state government’s fact-finding team is facing credibility issues. Engineers and civil society observers claim the probe lacks technical neutrality and transparency. Instead of uncovering root causes, the team appears focused on damage control, shielding the contractor and consultant.

Scapegoating the Innocent, Shielding the Guilty

In a move many call unjust, a Senior Engineer posted just three months ago to the Cuttack division has been transferred and made a scapegoat. Meanwhile, senior officials like Chief Construction Engineer Trinath Behera, who oversaw the project, face no action.

Even the Works Department Secretary and Minister, whose roles are crucial in monitoring high-stakes infrastructure, remain silent.

A Tale of Double Standards

In 2021, ARSS Infrastructure Projects Ltd was blacklisted after a similar crane accident in Kendrapada. But in Cuttack, RKD Constructions continues operations without penalty—raising concerns over bias and ethical lapses.

The Bigger Picture: Systemic Failure

This is not an isolated incident. The Khannagar bridge collapse highlights systemic flaws in Odisha’s infrastructure projects:

• Power unchecked in the hands of repeat-offender contractors

• Unrealistic project deadlines

• Poor safety planning and technical audits

• Lack of multi-tier accountability

Real Reform Needed, Not Cosmetic Probes

The death of three skilled laborers should trigger deep reform, not another round of symbolic scapegoating.

The Odisha government must:

• Blacklist negligent contractors

• Hold engineers, PMCs, and officials accountable

• Strengthen project safety protocols and real-time audits

Infrastructure must be built on safety and integrity, not shortcuts and cover-ups. If action isn’t taken now, public trust—and more lives—will be lost.

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