While the injured persons have been identified as the bike rider and the car driver, the condition of the former is said to be critical.

According to eyewitnesses, the bike rider was taking a U-turn near Utkal Hospital when a speeding car hit him from behind. The car dragged the biker for at least 100 meters.

Some passersby immediately rescued the profusely bleeding biker and rushed him to Capital Hospital. At the same time, the car driver, who sustained severe injuries, was admitted to a private hospital.

Meanwhile, the police have seized the vehicles involved in the accident and launched a probe.

“When I saw the injured person lying in a pool of blood, nobody was coming to his rescue. Rather they were clicking photos. After arranging an auto rickshaw, I sent him to the hospital. I don’t know, how many occupants were there in the car,” narrated Madhaba Digal, an eyewitness.

Speaking to media persons in Bhubaneswar on Thursday, BMC commissioner Vijay Amruta Kulange said mass awareness is necessary regarding the causes of the spread of dengue. Considering this, the BMC had carried out door-to-door campaign about preventive measures like social distancing, cleaning hands and wearing masks during COVID pandemic. The BMC will do similar exercise in case of dengue in the city, he added.

“We had held a meeting with our staff and ward level officials in this regard on Wednesday. At the meeting, it was decided that a surveillance team would be formed in each ward. The team will comprise ward officer, SI, Swachhata Supervisor and a doctor. The team will conduct larvae checking by moving from house to house,” Kulange said.

“Since stagnated water serves as breeding ground for the mosquitoes that cause dengue, the BMC is carrying out fogging and oil spray on stagnated water on roadside and drains. It has engaged 15 machines now for the purpose and will procure 20 more vehicle mounted fogging machines by month-end. But our officials are unable to go to private houses to do these works,” he said.

The BMC commissioner further said, “It is the duty of the house owners, commercial establishments and institutions and shop-keepers to check whether there is any spot having stagnated water in front of their houses, backyard and roof top. They have to ensure that there are no such materials like open overhead water tank, damaged tyres, flower vases and pots where these mosquitoes can breed. They have to clean the place having stagnated water and keep it dry.”