Odisha orders probe into road mishap

 The Odisha government on Monday ordered a detailed inquiry into the bus accident which claimed 27 people on Sunday evening.

About 10 people also sustained injuries when the bus nosedived into a 300 feet gorge while crossing a hilly road in western Bargarh district.

“The road transport officer of Bargarh district has been ordered to conduct a detailed investigation and submit a report. Appropriate action will be taken against persons responsible for the mishap once we receive the inquiry report,” Transport Minister Ramesh Majhi said.

All the dead and injured people were artistes who were returning to their village in western Odisha Bargarh district after performing a show in Deogarh. The ill-fated private bus with Cuttack registration was reportedly running without a mandatory fitness certificate, which had expired since 2013. “We are also looking into this,” Majhi said.

The state government has already announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the people who died in the mishap besides free treatment for injured persons.