Kotpad: A tragic road accident has taken place on the national highway, leaving a youth in critical condition. The victim, a motorcyclist, is currently battling between life and death on a hospital bed.
According to reports, Dambaru Bhatra (35), a resident of Dadhia Guda village in Nabarangpur district, was returning home from the Kotpad market on his bike. While passing through Kotpad town on National Highway 26, a tipper truck carrying sand came from the opposite direction and collided with his motorcycle. As a result, Dambaru lost control and fell off his bike. The truck ran over his right arm, completely crushing it, and he also sustained severe head injuries.
Some local youths quickly rescued Dambaru and rushed him to Kotpad Community Health Centre. However, due to the lack of medical improvement, he was immediately referred to Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College in Koraput for further treatment.
Kotpad police station officer-in-charge Paramananda Sunani arrived at the accident site, seized both vehicles, and initiated an investigation.
It is noteworthy that on both sides of the accident spot, there are three major banks. Customers visiting these banks frequently park their vehicles illegally along the roadside, leading to repeated accidents in the area. The absence of designated parking spaces has raised concerns among locals about how the Kotpad NAC (Notified Area Council) has granted NOC (No Objection Certificate) to these banks under such conditions.
According to local intellectuals, it is suspected that the administration, driven by monetary interests, has granted NOCs to banks along the national highway despite the lack of proper vehicle parking arrangements. Furthermore, the recent permission granted to open a mall at the same accident-prone location has intensified suspicions about the internal functioning of the administration.
The residents of the area have expressed dissatisfaction with such arbitrary decisions by the authorities.