Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling Escapes Unhurt In Road Mishap
The incident occurred while the minister was travelling from Sambalpur to Mayurbhanj as part of an official tour.
Bhubaneswar: Odisha health minister Mukesh Mahaling had a narrow escape on Thursday after the vehicle carrying him was involved in a road accident on National Highway-49 near Jagamohanpur Square in the Telkoi area of Keonjhar district.
The incident occurred while the minister was travelling from Sambalpur to Mayurbhanj as part of an official tour.
According to preliminary reports, the mishap took place when the pilot vehicle leading the minister's convoy suddenly applied brakes near a speed hump at Jagamohanpur. The minister's vehicle, travelling immediately behind, reportedly rammed into the pilot vehicle due to the abrupt stop.
Fortunately, the airbags in the minister's vehicle deployed instantly, preventing any injuries. Officials said Mahaling remained unharmed and did not require medical attention despite the impact.
Following the accident, the damaged vehicle was removed from the convoy, and the minister continued his journey to Mayurbhanj in another vehicle. No injuries were reported among the minister, security personnel, or other members of the escort team.
The accident briefly disrupted the movement of the convoy before normal traffic and official travel arrangements were restored.
Authorities are expected to examine the circumstances that led to the collision, including the sudden braking of the pilot vehicle.
Neither the minister nor local police officials had issued any statement on the incident till the filing of this report.
Meanwhile, road accidents continue to be a major concern in Odisha. According to information provided by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi in a written reply to a question raised by MLA Bibhuti Bhushan Balabantaray in the Odisha Legislative Assembly on March 9 this year, the state recorded 1,13,325 road accidents over the last decade.
In 2024 alone, 12,375 road accident cases were registered, resulting in 6,483 deaths. In 2025, the number of cases rose to 12,782, while the death toll remained at 6,483. Over the past ten years, road accidents have claimed 53,451 lives in Odisha. Additionally, 55,783 people suffered grievous injuries, while 45,146 sustained minor injuries.