Cuttack: An auto-rickshaw driver fell from the Ekdali Mahanadi Bridge into the Mahanadi River on Saturday while returning after taking his wife towards Narsinghpur for work. A rescue operation was launched after people near the bridge saw him in the river and raised the alarm.
The driver has been identified as Saroj Nayak, a resident of Dasapalla.
According to information from the area, Saroj had gone towards Narsinghpur for Dashakarma and was returning with his wife in the auto-rickshaw. During the journey, the couple reportedly had an argument.
The situation became serious when Saroj moved towards the edge of the bridge and tried to go over the left side. His wife and daughter intervened and pulled him back, preventing him from falling.
He then moved towards the other side of the bridge and made another attempt. This time, he fell from the bridge into the Mahanadi.
People near the bridge saw Saroj in the river after the fall. He raised his hands and called for help before the river current began carrying him away from the bridge.
He is believed to have drifted downstream towards the Kantilo side, although his exact location has not been confirmed.
Fire Service personnel reached the spot after receiving information about the incident and started a search operation in the river. The search was continuing at the time of the latest update, with no confirmation yet that Saroj had been located or rescued.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are still being examined. The dispute between Saroj and his wife has emerged as part of the information available so far, but what triggered the argument is still not known.
His daughter said that during the journey in the auto, Saroj tried to drink alcohol, but his wife stopped him from drinking, which led to an argument between them.
His sister also said that the couple had faced some disagreements earlier, although the family has not disclosed what those earlier issues were about. It is still not clear whether the argument over drinking was the only reason behind the incident or whether other issues were involved.
The immediate focus remains on the rescue operation in the Mahanadi. Further information is expected from the Fire Service team and local authorities once the search progresses.
