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OAS Officer Preetisuman Pradhan dies in Sambalpur bus accident while returning home

OAS officer Preetisuman Pradhan, 27, died in an OSRTC bus accident near Jujumura while returning to Burla to spend the Independence Day holidays with her family.
Published By : Tuhina Sahoo | August 17, 2026 12:27 PM
OAS Officer Preetisuman Pradhan dies in Sambalpur bus accident while returning home

Sambalpur, Aug 17: She was just an hour away from home, looking forward to spending the Independence Day holidays with her parents and younger sister. But 27-year-old OAS officer Preetisuman Pradhan never reached home after a tragic road accident claimed her life near Gadgadbahal in Jujumura on the national highway.

Preetisuman, who was working as an officer at the Cuttack City GST office, was travelling towards Burla to spend the holidays with her family. The August 15 and 16 holidays had offered her a rare opportunity to return home and spend time with her parents.

Instead, tragedy struck when the OSRTC Sri Jagannath Express met with an accident near Jujumura.

Preetisuman was known for her academic excellence and had cleared the OPSC examination in her first attempt, securing 364th rank.

She had completed her higher secondary education from DAV Public School, Burla and later earned her postgraduate degree from OUAT. Before entering the Odisha Administrative Service, she had worked as an assistant professor at a government college in Rayagada.

After clearing the OAS examination, she joined the City GST department, beginning what promised to be a long and successful career in public service.

A daughter her parents were proud of

Preetisuman lived in the hearts and hopes of her family.

Her father, Subash Chandra Pradhan, mother Annapurna, and younger sister reside in Anand Vihar, Burla. Her father was preparing to retire from service next April and had hoped to spend the coming years peacefully with his family.

Her parents had dreamed of seeing their daughter build a bright future after achieving success in the OAS examination.

Those dreams were shattered in a matter of moments.

The journey had been planned around the holidays. Preetisuman was returning to Burla simply to be with her family-to sit with her parents, spend time with her younger sister and enjoy a few peaceful days at home.

But she never made it past Jujumura.

The accident has left the family devastated. A home that was waiting to welcome its daughter is now filled with grief and silence.

Preetisuman's death has come at an age when her professional journey was only beginning.

From a promising student to an assistant professor and then an OAS officer, she had built an inspiring career through hard work and determination.

Her parents now face the unbearable loss of a daughter whose future appeared so bright.

She had left for home to celebrate the holidays with her family. Instead, her final journey ended barely an hour away from the people waiting for her.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep anguish over the tragic road accident in Sambalpur and condoled the untimely demise of OT&AS officer Preetisuman Pradhan.
 

In his condolence message, the Chief Minister said he was deeply saddened after learning about the fatal accident. He wished a speedy recovery to the injured passengers and directed the district administration to ensure that they receive immediate and proper medical treatment.

Describing Preetisuman Pradhan’s untimely death as an irreparable loss to the state administration, CM Majhi expressed his sympathies to the bereaved family.

He prayed to Lord Jagannath to grant eternal peace to the departed souls and give strength and courage to their grieving families to bear the immense loss.

“Om Shanti.”

Tags: #Odisha Accident