Phulbani, 15th Nov 2025: A bus overturned at Kalinga Ghat in Kandhamal district. The accident occurred due to brake failure, resulting in the death of a woman. The deceased has been identified as 65-year-old Suryakant Nayak from Babanpur area of Ganjam district. Ten passengers were injured, six of them critically.
The accident occurred despite heavy vehicle movement restrictions in place at Kalinga Ghat. Questions have arisen as to how the bus could have overturned under these conditions.
The incident happened today around 4 AM. The passenger bus “Shri Ram” (OD-05-F-0629), traveling from Bargarh to Brahmapur, overturned near Bulani, east of Andharakot at Kalinga Ghat. The bus lost control, veered off the road to the right, hit the roadside protection barrier, and toppled. Three injured passengers were taken to G. Udaygiri Health Center. The local police were informed, while others were sent to Bhanjanagar and the Bhanjanagar fire service staff took the injured to the hospital.
The deceased woman was pronounced dead by the doctor, and six passengers remain in critical condition. The bus carried a total of 13 passengers, two drivers, a conductor, and a helper. After postmortem, the woman’s body has been handed over to her family. Transport department officials have reached the site for inspection and monitoring.
For context, on September 16, traffic at Kalinga Ghat was blocked following a landslide. After reconstruction, only two-wheeler and light vehicles were allowed for public transport. Both ends of the ghat at Kalinga and Durgaprasad were manned by police to control traffic. Nevertheless, today’s accident involving a large vehicle shows how dangerous it can be.
District Collector Bedabhushan stated that priority is being given to the treatment of the injured. Heavy vehicle movement had been restricted, and an inquiry will be conducted into how the bus was traveling despite the restrictions.
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