Demolition begins at Odisha school that acted as morgue after train tragedy

As many as 205 bodies were kept in Bahanaga High School following the accident because of its proximity to the site and because the town was not equipped to handle such a large casualty figure

The primary section of Bahanaga high school, where bodies had temporarily been kept after the Odisha train accident, being demolished on Friday. (Express Photo)

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The Balasore district administration Friday started demolishing the primary section of Bahanaga high school, where bodies had temporarily been kept after the Odisha train accident that killed 288. Work started after approval was given in a virtual meeting today. A new structure will come up soon and the work is likely to be finished in three months. The demolition started in the presence of the School Management Committee members and the Public Works Department.

The district administration had sent the proposal made by the committee to the state for approval on Thursday, which was accepted a day later.

VIDEO | Bahanaga High School, which was turned into a makeshift morgue following the train crash incident in Odisha’s Balasore on June 2, is now being demolished. pic.twitter.com/ragmcklBNE

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 9, 2023

The virtual meeting was attended by Odisha Chief Secretary P K Jana , Mass Education Department Secretary S Aswathy, among others.

“The proposal was accepted today. There will be a new construction in the portion where bodies were kept. After the new structure is built, parents won’t hesitate to send sending their wards to school,” Vice Chairman of the School Managing Committee Dipanjali Sahoo told The Indian Express.

The decision comes after parents of some students aired apprehension about sending them to attend classes in the same rooms. (Express Photos)

“We welcome this decision. Boundary walls and other structures will be torn down. The target is to complete it before the end of summer vacation so that when students come, it is a new beginning for them,” said Ashish Kumar Sahoo, a committee member.

The decision comes after parents of some students aired apprehension about sending them to attend classes in the same rooms.

On Thursday, Balasore district collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde had visited the school.

As many as 205 bodies were kept in Bahanaga High School following the accident because of its proximity to the site and because the town was not equipped to handle such a large casualty figure.

Sweety Kumari

Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats. Experience & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal. Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness. Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics. Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism. Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage. Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement. Education Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills. Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College. Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting. Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region. Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read More

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