4 injured after under-construction portico collapses at Puri station

BHUBANESWAR: Four labourers sustained injuries after the under-construction portico of a building at Puri railway station collapsed on Sunday. The laborers were engaged in the redevelopment work of the Puri station.
According to locals, four labourers were working on the top of the portico while two others were on the ground. "All of them have been rescued from the site.Four of them have been taken to the district headquarters hospital at Puri for treatment," said an official of the construction company.
The incident occurred around 10:30 am, following which the fire brigade was immediately notified. The fire services team reached the spot and successfully rescued the laborers. The health conditions of the injured laborers were reported to be stable.
East Coast Railway (ECoR) issued an official statement regarding the accident. "An unfortunate incident occurred at Puri railway station. Six laborers were working at the site at the time of the incident, four of them suffered injuries. All injured laborers have been promptly shifted to the hospital and are currently out of danger," said the ECoR.
The Railways has initiated an investigation into the incident. "Proper treatment for the injured persons is being ensured," stated the official statement.
The foundation stone for the redevelopment of Puri station was laid on May 18 last year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The redeveloped station, inspired by local temple architecture, is expected to handle four lakh passengers per day. With an estimated cost of Rs 161.5 crore, the project is slated for completion by July 2025.
The station will boast world-class amenities such as an elaborated roof plaza, segregated entry and exit points, solar panels, water conservation and rain harvesting facilities, as well as modern green buildings equipped with effluent treatment plants and solid waste management systems. It is designed to meet the future needs of the people, as per the ECoR.