In a deeply distressing incident, a newborn baby girl born to a homeless woman on a platform of Rourkela railway station reportedly died due to lack of care in the early hours of Sunday. The incident has once again highlighted the vulnerability of homeless families and the absence of immediate medical intervention in public spaces.
According to sources, the homeless woman delivered the baby around midnight on Platform No. 5 amid severe cold conditions. The infant, born prematurely, is believed to have survived only for a few hours.
Body dumped near steel plant area
Soon after the newborn’s death, the baby’s father, who was reportedly intoxicated, allegedly disposed of the body near Gopabandhupali under the cover of darkness. The incident came to light later in the afternoon when local residents discovered the body on the premises of Rourkela Steel Plant.
Shocked residents immediately informed the police. With the assistance of local people and police personnel, the last rites of the newborn were performed, reflecting a rare moment of community compassion amid the tragedy.
Homeless couple from Angul
Preliminary inquiries revealed that the homeless couple hailed from Angul and had been staying on different platforms of the railway station for the past two weeks. They reportedly survived by doing menial jobs and were known to consume alcohol.
Rourkela Superintendent of Police Nitesh Wadhwani said early investigation suggested the baby was premature and possibly a stillbirth. “The manner in which the body was disposed of was careless and inhuman. However, there is no evidence at this stage to suggest that the parents were responsible for the death of the baby,” he said.
GRP to decide on further action
The matter has been brought to the notice of the Government Railway Police (GRP), which will decide on any further legal action. Police officials said the focus remains on understanding the circumstances surrounding the birth and death, as well as assessing whether any negligence occurred at the station.
The incident has sparked concern among citizens and social activists, who have once again called for better emergency healthcare access, shelter facilities and monitoring for homeless individuals, especially vulnerable pregnant women, at major public transit hubs.