Two Dead After Illegal Hoarding Collapses in Bhubaneswar Storm

Overview

• The large advertising structure came down during a nor'wester with heavy rain and strong winds at Aiginia near the Durga Mandap.
• Police confirmed two fatalities and said two more people remain critically injured and are under treatment at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar.
• The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation said the hoarding was privately installed without authorization and asked police to register an FIR against the company responsible.
• Odisha’s chief minister announced Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia for each bereaved family from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
• Residents and relatives blocked National Highway-16 to demand accountability before dispersing after assurances, as Bharatpur police reported one arrest and a complaint naming local figures was lodged.