Bhubaneswar: A temple and idol of its presiding deity were completely damaged when a tanker truck crashed into the temple, located on the roadside at Gandhinagar in Balangir district, in the wee hours of Thursday. The mishap left tanker driver critically injured.
As per reports, the tanker reportedly met with the mishap as its driver lost control due to some unknown reasons. The mishap was so impactful that it led to the complete destruction of the temple and its idol.
The driver was trapped inside the vehicle for quite a long time. Fire department personnel rescued him after a prolonged effort. They managed to break open the door and pull him out. The driver, whose condition is reported to be critical, is undergoing treatment at the Balangir District Headquarters Hospital, said sources.
On a tip-off, police have reached the spot and launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident.
Meanwhile, locals have expressed discontentment outrage over the incident.
It is learnt that heavy vehicles are passing through the busy Gandhinagar market area due to ongoing bypass construction in Balangir. As per regulations, heavy vehicles are allowed to ply within Gandhinagar area between 12 am and 5 am.
