Paradip: A 22-year-old worker lost his life in a tragic incident at a Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) gas pipeline worksite on the Cuttack-Paradip road near Kujang in Jagatsinghpur district on Friday.
The victim, identified as Parimal Gayan, was a resident of Bijaychandpur village in Kujang block.
According to reports, Parimal and six other workers were engaged in repair work when a gas leak was detected in a sump. Despite attempting to protect himself by covering his nose and ears with a cloth, Parimal reportedly collapsed shortly after entering the sump. “He collapsed immediately. I called for help, and a crowd gathered, but it was too late to save him,” recounted one of his co-workers.
Fire Services personnel were alerted and recovered Parimal’s body after nearly two hours of strenuous effort.
The incident has sparked tension among local residents and disrupted traffic along the busy Cuttack-Paradip road, causing inconvenience to commuters.
Family members of the deceased have expressed outrage, alleging negligence by BPCL officials. “We demand strict action against those who sent him into the sump without proper safety measures,” said a grieving family member.
Concerns are mounting over safety protocols at the site, but BPCL has yet to issue an official statement regarding the mishap.
Police have launched an investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.
