Jeypore: A shocking incident occurred in Koraput where a major accident was narrowly avoided, saving hundreds of lives. A pilgrimage bus suffered a brake failure and, around half a kilometer from the District Cultural Building, sped uncontrollably across the National Highway during the evening hours. It rushed at high speed past the Kala Niketan Square, through the fish and vegetable market road, and entered deep into Biju Pathagara village.
The scene was terrifying, leaving local people in utter shock and disbelief as they witnessed the bus’s wild entry. The journey was part of a pilgrimage program organized by the district administration.
Out of the 210 registered pilgrims, 207 passengers had boarded the buses when the accident occurred. The mishap involved one of the four buses, reportedly branded ROYAL LUXURY, which was arriving to pick up the remaining passengers.
During the incident, a lawyer from Koraput was seriously injured and was immediately rushed to Sahid Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital for treatment. The bus, after losing control, veered off the Sunabeda-Koraput main road and hit a structure near Chandan Pokhari, close to the old Biju Pathagara premises, just a few meters from the designated pilgrimage spot.
Thankfully, the timely response and limited occupancy at the time prevented a potentially large-scale disaster.