Bhubaneswar (Bureau): An unusual situation was witnessed today near the busy Palasuni Square in the state capital. Hundreds of litres of oil spilled onto the road after the oil tank of a borewell drilling machine suddenly burst. As oil spread across the road surface, it became extremely slippery, disrupting vehicular movement and causing traffic jams stretching for several kilometres.
How did the incident occur?
According to available information, a borewell drilling vehicle (rig machine) was travelling from Cuttack towards Bhubaneswar when a mechanical fault developed in its oil tank near Palasuni. The tank ruptured, leading to diesel leaking out and spreading across the asphalt road.
Commuters stranded, fear of accidents:
Due to the oil spill, the road turned highly slippery, and reports indicate that several two-wheelers skidded and fell. As a safety measure, the police slowed down traffic on the affected route. With vehicles lined up on the Cuttack–Bhubaneswar National Highway, office-goers and the general public faced severe inconvenience.
Rescue and restoration work underway:
After receiving information, traffic police and local administration officials reached the spot. With the help of the fire services, efforts are on to clean the road and reduce slipperiness by spreading sand over the oil. Officials said it may take some more time for the situation to return to normal.
Advisory:
If you are currently travelling from Cuttack towards Bhubaneswar, remain cautious or use alternative routes instead of passing through Palasuni.
