Cuttack, June 26 – A portion of the boundary wall at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Post Graduate Institute of Paediatrics, popularly known as Sishu Bhawan in Cuttack, collapsed on Wednesday following heavy rainfall in the region. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, but the incident has sparked concerns over the quality of construction and safety measures in one of Odisha’s most critical paediatric healthcare institutions.
According to eyewitnesses, the collapse occurred in the afternoon after continuous rainfall since morning led to water accumulation near the wall. The force of the rainwater, combined with poor drainage, is suspected to have weakened the structure. The section that gave way was part of the newly constructed extension block, inaugurated just two months ago in April by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda.
Local residents and visitors to the hospital reported hearing a loud crash around 3:30 PM. Upon inspection, a large portion of the parapet wall had crumbled, damaging several parked two-wheelers near the structure. “It was fortunate that no one was standing near the wall when it collapsed,” said Manoj Nayak, a hospital staffer who witnessed the incident. “It could have been much worse.”
Following the incident, senior officials from the Works Department and the district administration rushed to the site. Cuttack Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde took stock of the situation and ordered an immediate inspection of the remaining structure. “We have taken this very seriously,” he told reporters. “An expert committee has been formed to assess whether the construction adhered to safety standards and what caused the failure.”
Principal Secretary of the Works Department, Sanjay Singh, also confirmed that a team of engineers will carry out a technical assessment. “We are investigating whether the collapse was due to poor construction or an issue with drainage and waterlogging,” he said. “If any negligence is found, strict action will be taken.”
The incident has triggered strong reactions from citizens and opposition leaders alike. Questions are being raised about the quality of public infrastructure projects and the scrutiny applied to new constructions, especially in the health sector. “This is a children’s hospital. We cannot compromise on safety,” said Pradeep Sahu, a local activist. “How can a newly built structure collapse within weeks of inauguration?”
This year’s monsoon has already brought heavy rainfall across coastal Odisha, with Cuttack recording more than 80 mm of rain in the last 24 hours. Several low-lying areas in the city have reported waterlogging and minor damage, further straining civic infrastructure.
As repair work begins and the debris is cleared from the hospital premises, many are calling for a wider audit of all recent public construction projects in the city. For now, hospital authorities have cordoned off the affected area and assured that patient care remains uninterrupted.
