A person was killed as the bike he was riding collided with a speeding oil tanker on the national highway near Dholapita Megaproject under Tarasingi police limits in Ganjam district.
The accident occurred around 10 AM on Monday and claimed the life of Gugul Nayak, a resident of Sorisamuli village.
Gugul was returning from an ATM visit when the tanker, coming from Tilisingi Pahanda at high speed, struck his bike near Rangameru Chhak. He died on the spot. Eyewitnesses said the tanker driver attempted to flee but was intercepted by locals near Badangi. They seized the vehicle and handed over the driver to the police.
The incident sparked tension at the crash site. Police arrived promptly and restored order. Officers sent Gugul’s body to Bhanjanagar Medical for autopsy and launched an investigation. Tarasing IIC Shubhalaxmi Pujari confirmed that both the tanker and its driver are in custody.
Locals blamed the ongoing landslide at Kalinga Ghat, which has blocked regular traffic for over a month. Vehicles now reroute through the narrow and fast-moving Kullada–Badangi stretch, increasing accident risks. Residents urged authorities to address the unsafe traffic diversion immediately.
