Cuttack: A private bus named Poojarani, travelling from Angul to Bhubaneswar, overturned on National Highway 55 near OTM Market in Chowdwar on Thursday, leaving passengers shaken but miraculously alive.
According to reports, the bus lost balance after hitting a deep pothole on the road and toppled on its side.
Local residents rushed to the spot and rescued the stranded passengers. Three people, including one who suffered a minor head injury, were reported to have sustained minor injuries. More than 25 passengers were on board at the time of the accident.
National Highway Authority workers later removed the overturned bus using a crane. Meanwhile, Chowdwar police reached the spot and launched an investigation into the incident.
Residents blamed ongoing roadwork mismanagement for the accident. They alleged that contractors had dug up the road and failed to complete repairs within the scheduled timeframe, leaving commuters vulnerable to mishaps. “The bus was moving normally, but it suddenly fell into a large pothole and overturned,” said one passenger.
Passengers and locals have urged authorities to take immediate steps to repair the road and ensure safe travel along the busy highway.
