Bhubaneswar, June 19: Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra visited Unit-III Maszid Colony in the state capital on Wednesday, following the tragic death of a minor boy who was swept away in an open drain.

Taking the matter seriously, Mohapatra arrived at the colony early Wednesday morning. Expressing concern over the situation, the Minister ordered the Bhubaneswar Municipal Commissioner (BMC) to submit a report explaining why there were no barricades near the drain. The commissioner has been asked to provide the report by this evening.

The Minister also met with the family of the deceased boy and assured them that stringent action would be taken against those responsible for the incident.

On Tuesday, the boy, Abu Bakar, was swept away in an open drain filled with rainwater while trying to catch a balloon floating on the water. He was later rescued from a nullah near Laxmi Sagar in critical condition and taken to Capital Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the locality. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed grief over the death and announced Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia to the next of kin of the deceased. Majhi also offered condolences to the bereaved family.

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