Odisha government demolishes morgue-school, plans modern rebuild

The Odisha government has commenced the demolition of the 65-year-old Bahanaga High School, previously used as a temporary morgue for victims of the Coromandel Express train crash. This action took place under the watchful eyes of the school managing committee (SMC) members and officials from the Public Works Department.
The building’s razing was prompted by concerns raised by the SMC over the age and safety of the structure. The uneasy atmosphere stemming from its use as a morgue had also discouraged children from attending classes. Parents shared the SMC’s sentiments, voicing their disapproval of the school’s previous function, given the disturbing images imprinted in their children’s minds of bodies being transported to the school for identification.In response to these concerns, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik convened a meeting with high-ranking officials, including the Chief Secretary. In this meeting, a unanimous decision was reached to reconstruct the institute. Patnaik also sanctioned an initiative to upgrade the new institution into a model school, complete with a library, a science laboratory, and digital classrooms.
The intention to demolish the building was reaffirmed during a visit to the institution by Balasore Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde. He appealed to all stakeholders to cease spreading fear and superstition, urging instead for efforts to instil a scientific temperament in the children.
As part of the school’s revitalization, School and Mass Education Department Secretary S Aswathy revealed plans to arrange counselling sessions for students and teachers alike, aiming to dispel lingering fears.
The train accident, which occurred on June 2, resulted in bodies being temporarily housed at the school before being transferred to various hospitals in Bhubaneswar. More than 200 bodies have been identified and returned to their respective families, leaving about 80 unclaimed and unidentified at the Bhubaneswar AIIMS morgue.
The tragic crash involved the Coromandel Express colliding with a stationary goods train, resulting in the derailment of most of its coaches. This derailment coincided with the passing of the Bengaluru-Howrah Express, causing some coaches to topple over. The catastrophe claimed 288 lives and injured over 1,200 people.
In the aftermath, the Odisha government liaised with officials from West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand to expedite the identification and disposal of the remaining victims. Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner Vijay Amruta Kulange highlighted the efforts to coordinate with other states and establish a control room to aid relatives of the victims. These steps also included providing food and lodging facilities for those arriving to claim bodies.
However, the identification process has encountered challenges, with some bodies being claimed by multiple families. The officials have turned to DNA sampling to overcome this hurdle, which has resulted in about 50 samples being sent for testing. AIIMS Bhubaneswar has been pivotal in this process, with officials stating that once DNA reports are received, they can ensure the bodies are handed over to their rightful families.
While these efforts continue, concerns over the preservation of the bodies have been quelled by BMC Mayor Sulochana Das, who assured that the bodies are stored at below minus 18 degrees Centigrade to prevent further decay.
Despite these measures, there have been instances of miscommunication, with cases reported of bodies being handed over to the wrong families. Srikand Dey, a resident of Kuchvihar in West Bengal, alleged that his son’s body was mistakenly given to a family in Bihar before DNA testing could confirm its identity.
As the identification and handing over process continues, so does the effort to create a new beginning for the Bahanaga High School, as it transitions from a stark reminder of a tragic accident to a beacon of modern education.