Kesinga: A mishap at an under-construction bridge of Indian Railways has killed one labourer and injured another near Dharanipadar railway level crossing, two kilometres from Rupra road station in Kalahandi district Monday.
The deceased has been identified as Ramesh Payam (20) of Jagdalpur, and the injured one as Markanda Bag (27) of Raksi village in Narla block in this district.
According to a source, the incident occurred while a pile of earth caved in on them while the duo were clearing the earth dug out by a machine at pillar number 228 near Dharanipadar railway level crossing where the construction work of a new bridge is going on.
While Ramesh was trapped under the earth, Markanda’s hand was partly visible. The latter was rescued in an unconscious state after clearing some of the dirt immediately. He was rushed to Bhawanipatna district headquarters hospital.
Although a rescue operation was carried out to retrieve Ramesh, to his misfortune, the earth mover machine allegedly disinterred the body and pulled it out in two pieces.
The incident sparked tension among workers at the site for a while.
Titlagarh Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) reached the spot after being intimated and sent the body of the deceased for post-mortem. Police investigation is on, sources said.
It may be mentioned here that a number of labourers with their families from Jagdalpur area had been working on the project for last couple days. Rayagada based Jagannath Transporters Corporation (JTC) is carrying out the construction work.
PNN