Patnaik’s visit to the charred trauma care ICU painted a grim picture of systemic failures. ‘What I witnessed was beyond tragic—it was a glaring indictment of safety neglect in our top medical institution,’ he told the house, his voice laced with emotion.

The fire broke out early Monday, rapidly spreading from the trauma ICU to neighboring areas, trapping patients in a nightmare scenario fueled by alleged administrative oversights. While expressing solidarity with bereaved kin, Patnaik rejected the government’s judicial inquiry as a mere smokescreen.

‘Political leaders cannot escape accountability behind probes,’ he asserted, reiterating his call for Mahaling’s resignation. Patnaik also escalated demands for compensation, urging 50 lakhs per family against the state’s 25-lakh offer from CMRF.

As CM Mohan Charan Majhi grapples with the fallout, this tragedy underscores urgent needs for enhanced fire safety, better equipment, and stricter oversight in Odisha’s hospitals. Patnaik’s intervention signals intensifying opposition scrutiny on health governance.

Chaos erupted right at the start of question hour as opposition members rushed the Speaker’s podium with placards, raising slogans against the government. Persistent pandemonium led to multiple adjournments – first till noon, then till evening.

Taking the floor in zero hour, Naveen Patnaik painted a grim picture from his on-site inspection. ‘This tragedy exposes the utter failure of safety protocols in our state’s flagship hospital,’ he stated, offering heartfelt sympathies to the victims’ kin.

The former CM accused the administration of gross negligence, arguing that patients seeking recovery met a horrific end due to preventable lapses. ‘While families mourn, the health ministry can’t evade responsibility with mere probes. Minister Mahaling must step down immediately, owning the moral weight of this disaster,’ Patnaik urged.

Dismissing the Rs 25 lakh relief as paltry, he demanded Rs 50 lakh per family. Replying to the opposition’s notice, Mahaling updated that 23 patients were swiftly rescued from the burning ICU by alert staff working at war-footing. Seven died on the spot from severe conditions, five more later after transfer.

Eleven rescuers among the medical team suffered burns but are recovering well. The minister defended the hospital’s safety measures, noting fire safety equipment in all 85 rooms, recently added during their tenure. The incident room had a ramp, extinguishers, and hydrant. PWD is implementing identified fixes.

This fire tragedy underscores deeper systemic issues in public healthcare, fueling demands for comprehensive reforms. The assembly’s deadlock highlights the deepening rift between ruling and opposition benches, with public anger mounting over patient safety.