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Tag: morbi bridge collapse

  • Morbi bridge collapse: Supreme Court directs Gujarat HC to hold periodic hearings

    Morbi bridge collapse: Supreme Court directs Gujarat HC to hold periodic hearings

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    The Supreme Court said on Monday that the Morbi bridge collapse incident would require weekly monitoring and asked the Gujarat High Court to hold periodical hearings. A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justice Hima Kohli was hearing two petitions seeking an investigation into criminal wrongdoing in the Morbi tragedy. 

    The bench called it an ‘enormous tragedy’ and said that this requires a weekly monitoring to see the award of contract, credentials of the party awarded the contract, and attribution of responsibility for the guilty. The bench said orally that the high court has taken charge or else it would have issued a notice. 

    The petitions in the apex court sought probe into criminal wrongdoing, need to affix responsibility against officials of the municipality, and to hold the agency responsible for the maintenance of the bridge accountable. 

    “As many as 140 have died out of which 47 are children. several aspects of matter would require periodical references and so that HC is apprised of antecedent facts…We request High Court to take this up on periodical basis,” the court said, according to Bar and Bench.

    Senior Counsel Gopal Sankaranarayanan who appeared for victims’ kin said that an investigation independent of the state is required to bring out the truth.  He also said that it is all the more important to catch the people responsible as elections are looming ahead. 

    The counsel argued that the compensation given to these families was not adequate. He said that Ra 10-15 crore are given to sportsmen but nothing has been given here. 

    Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that since the Gujarat High Court has taken up a case on the incident, the apex court does not need to entertain petitions on the matter. The Supreme Court allowed petitioners to approach the High Court and intervene in the pending plea. 

    Also read: Morbi bridge collapse: Oreva manager says ‘will of God’ led to the incident

    Also read: Morbi bridge collapse: Ajanta Manufacturing was struggling for the past 6 years

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  • Morbi bridge collapse: Oreva manager says ‘will of God’ led to the incident

    Morbi bridge collapse: Oreva manager says ‘will of God’ led to the incident

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    A manager of Oreva Group told the court that the Morbi bridge tragedy was the “will of God”. Deepak Parekh, who is a manager in the company, told the Chief Judicial Magistrate and Additional Senior Civil Judge M J Khan that it was the “will of God (bhagwan ki ichcha) that such an unfortunate event happened”. 

    Meanwhile, the lawyer appearing for the government informed the court that it was rather the worn-out cables, which were not changed during the renovation, that gave way. He told the court that the reason behind the collapse was that the aluminum base was replaced with the wooden base, which was lighter than the former.

    The Morbi and Rajkot Bar Association has stated that they will not represent the accused in the Morbi collapse case. 

    The company had signed a 15-year contract till March 2037 with the municipal corporation for the operation and maintenance of the bridge. The Morbi suspension bridge, also known as the ‘Jhoolta pul’, was built more than a century ago. It was shut for renovation for a few months, before being reopened for the public five days before the tragedy took place, leading to the death of as many as 141 people. 

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting on Monday evening, urging the authorities to offer any assistance possible to the affected. The Prime Minister visited the site of the accident on Tuesday and directed a detailed probe into the matter. 

    The Supreme Court will also hear a plea demanding the constitution of a judicial commission on November 14. 

    Also read: Bridge collapse: Morbi admin hides Oreva hoarding ahead of PM Modi’s visit

    Also read: ‘Extensive inquiry needed’: PM Modi on suspension bridge collapse in Gujarat’s Morbi

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  • ‘Extensive inquiry needed’: PM Modi on suspension bridge collapse in Gujarat’s Morbi

    ‘Extensive inquiry needed’: PM Modi on suspension bridge collapse in Gujarat’s Morbi

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    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday chaired another meeting to review the situation in Gujarat’s Morbi and said that a detailed and extensive inquiry was needed to find out all the aspects related to the accident.

    A British-era suspension bridge on the Machchhu river in Morbi collapsed on Sunday, killing 135 people. The bridge was maintained by a private group, Oreva – which is known for making wall clocks by the name of Ajanta.

    Following the collapse, the company’s role has come under the scanner.  

    Today, PM Modi chaired a meeting in Morbi and said: “The need of the hour is to conduct a detailed and extensive inquiry which will identify all aspects relating to this mishap.”

    The Prime Minister also added that the key learnings from the inquiry must be implemented at the earliest. He said the authorities must stay in touch with the affected families and ensure that they receive all possible help in this tragic hour.

    Earlier today, the Prime Minister visited the accident site and went to the local hospital where the injured are recovering. He also interacted with those involved in rescue and relief work and lauded their fortitude.

    Oreva, who is at the center of the storm, had opened the bridge just days before the accident. The bridge was shut for renovation and the company was given 8-12 months time to complete the work.

    However, the company inaugurated the bridge to the public five months before the deadline. The local civic body now claims that the company did not secure a clearance certificate before opening it to the public.    

    The Gujarat Police have so far nine people including the managers of Oreva. 

     

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  • No lessons learnt after Morbi: Tourists drive car on hanging bridge meant for two-wheelers in Karnataka

    No lessons learnt after Morbi: Tourists drive car on hanging bridge meant for two-wheelers in Karnataka

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    Just two days after a suspension bridge collapsed in Gujarat, some tourists were seen driving a car on a similar hanging bridge, meant for two-wheelers, near Yellapura town in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. 

    The incident happened on the Shivapura suspension bridge, which is 5 km from Sathodi falls – a popular tourist destination in Uttara Kannada.  

    The bridge, which connects Yallapur to Uluvi and Dandeli, is meant for pedestrians and two-wheelers. However, a video has surfaced in which a group of people can be seen driving a Maruti car on the bridge. But they could not get to the other side as the car was stuck right in the middle. 

    It can be seen in the video that the car could not move as there was barely any space on either side. Also, some locals noticed the car and immediately alerted the official. 

    Reports suggest that the locals forced the car driver to move back. The car driver claimed that he wasn’t aware that the bridge was meant for two-wheelers. He saw bikes traveling and assumed cars could cross too.

    This comes just two days after a British-era suspension bridge collapsed in Gujarat’s Morbi, claiming 135 lives. The bridge in Morbi was inaugurated just a few days before the tragic incident. 

    As the video of the collapse went viral, some people on social media pointed out that the crowd was huge and they were shaking the bridge which might have contributed to the collapse besides other factors like negligence.

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  • Morbi bridge collapse: Oreva Group under scanner over repair, maintenance

    Morbi bridge collapse: Oreva Group under scanner over repair, maintenance

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    Oreva Group, that was responsible for the repairing and maintenance work of the Morbi suspension bridge, also known as the ‘Jhoolta Pul’, is under the scanner. The bridge had reopened for the public five days before it collapsed, leading to the death of 141 people. Before that it was under maintenance and was closed to the public for a few months. 
     
    Upon the incident, the Gujarat police filed an FIR against the ‘agency’ responsible for the repair, maintenance and management of the bridge. On Monday, nine people were arrested in connection with the case, out of which four had worked for Oreva (Ajanta Manufacturing). 
     
    Moreover, many discrepancies have come to the fore regarding the contract signed between the Morbi municipality and Oreva Group. 
     
    To begin with, a 15-years maintenance contract – till March 20137 – was signed between Oreva and Morbi municipality. The contract had stated that there will be no interference from the government or state agencies in maintenance or administrative tasks of the bridge. In turn, Oreva subcontracted the renovation of a company called Devprakash Solution. Devprakash Solution was responsible for the restoration of the bridge after it got damaged in the 2001 earthquakes. 
     
    But this is where things get murkier. The chief official of the municipality Sandipsinh Zala said that they did not receive any renovation details from the private contractor which could have been used for a quality check, and further issuance of a fitness certificate before the bridge was opened. Zala, in fact, told local media that while Oreva had shown interest in renovating the bridge, it was only through media reports that they came to know about the renovation process. 
     
    Oreva signed the contract on March 5 and was to renovate the bridge in about 8-12 months but it reopened the bridge for the public on October 25. Oreva stated that it spent Rs 2 crore on the renovation of the centuries-old bridge. 
     
    The contract also specified the prices. It said that the price of the ticket would be Rs 15 for an adult visitor, while it would be Rs 10 for a child below 12 years in 2022-23. It could be then increased by Rs 2 per year for the next six years. There was a discrepancy in the prices charged as well. Tickets sold on Sunday were priced at Rs 17 for an adult and Rs 12 for a child. 
     
    While reopening the bridge, Jaysukh Patel, Chairman of Oreva Group, had said that the bridge would easily stand for another 15 years if people used it responsibly.  
     
    The promoters and top executives of the company are incommunicado after the incident and have not released any statement.
     
    ABOUT THE OREVA GROUP
     
    Oreva Group specialises in CFL bulbs, wall clocks and e-bikes. It was founded by Odhavji Raghavji Patel in 1971. It manufactures wall clocks under well-known brands such as Orpat and Ajanta. The group is led by Jaysukhbhai Bhalodia, managing director of the Ajanta Manufacturing Private Limited (AMPL), and director of the Ajanta Energy private limited (AEPL). 
     
    Chintan Jaysukhbhai Bhalodia, Mrudulagauri Jaysukhlal Bhalodia, Alish Jaysukhlal Bhalodia, Jaysukhbhai Odhavjibhai Bhalodia, and Aashka Chintan Bhalodia – kins of Jaysukhbhai are directors of AMPL.

    Also read: Congress, AAP criticise BJP for ‘overnight makeover’ of Morbi civil hospital ahead of PM Modi’s visit

    Also read: Morbi bridge collapse: Company in the eye of the storm is the owner of famous wall clock brands Ajanta and Orpat

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  • Congress, AAP criticise BJP for ‘overnight makeover’ of Morbi civil hospital ahead of PM Modi’s visit

    Congress, AAP criticise BJP for ‘overnight makeover’ of Morbi civil hospital ahead of PM Modi’s visit

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    An overnight makeover of the government hospital in Gujarat’s Morbi before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to meet the survivors of the suspension bridge collapse that left 141 people dead has come under fire from the Opposition. The Prime Minister will visit the site of the incident on Tuesday afternoon. Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) criticised the state government for engaging in an all-night overhaul of the hospital in times of tragedy. 

    Congress shared pictures of the hospital on Twitter and wrote in Hindi, “Event of tragedy. Tomorrow, PM Modi will visit the civil hospital in Morbi. Before that, the work of dyeing and painting is going on there. Glazed tiles are being installed. There should be no weak points in PM Modi’s image, all arrangements are being made for it. They are not ashamed! So many people died and they are engaged in eventing.”

    The AAP tweeted, “Overnight paint is being done in Morbi Civil Hospital so that the poor building does not get exposed in PM Modi’s photoshoot tomorrow. 141 people are dead, hundreds of people are missing, no action has been taken against the real culprits, but BJP workers have been covered up by doing photoshoots.”

    AAP MLA and spokesperson Naresh Balyan wrote, “There are 177 bodies lying inside, the work of painting the hospital from outside is going on, because Mahamanav ji will go there tomorrow to do stunts with cameras. There is a limit to shamelessness.”

    Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Neetu Dabas retweeted the Congress’ tweet and wrote, “Congress will not be able to do anything in life, except to come down to the lows and beat drums of the end of Congress under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi.”

    Meanwhile, some of the workers engaged in the cleaning job told India Today that they were brought from Rajkot for overhaul ahead of the PM’s visit. New water coolers and hospital beds were also installed. 

    A suspension bridge collapsed near Machchhu river in Gujarat’s Morbi, causing the death of 141 people and injuring several others.

    Also read: PM Modi to visit Morbi today; chairs high-level meeting on Morbi bridge collapse

    Also read: Morbi bridge collapse: Company in the eye of the storm is the owner of famous wall clock brands Ajanta and Orpat

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  • Morbi bridge tragedy: PM Modi reviews rescue ops; state to observe one-day mourning on Nov 2

    Morbi bridge tragedy: PM Modi reviews rescue ops; state to observe one-day mourning on Nov 2

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    Prime Minister Narendra Modi today chaired a high-level meeting to review the situation in Morbi, where a suspension bridge collapse killed 141 people on Sunday. During the meeting, Modi was briefed on the rescue and relief operations that have been underway ever since the unfortunate mishap took place in Morbi. All aspects relating to the tragedy were discussed, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.

    The high-level meeting was attended by CM Bhupendra Bhai Patel, MoS Home Harsh Sanghavi, the Chief Secretary and DGP of Gujarat, along with other top officials including from the Home Department of the State and Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority.

    After the meeting, the chief minister said that the government has decided to observe a state-wide mourning in Gujarat on November 2.

    In a tragic incident, the Morbi bridge collapsed on Sunday evening, just four days after it was opened after renovation. The tragic incident brought the spotlight on the company involved in the maintenance and upkeep of the said bridge.

    The company, Oreva Group, had opened the bridge to the public five months prior to its scheduled opening. The company was given a deadline of 8-12 months to finish the suspension bridge’s maintenance and cleaning.

    Earlier in the day, the Rajkot Police informed that nine people have been arrested in the bridge collapse incident. Those arrested include the managers of Oreva company and ticket clerks. Rajkot range IG Ashok Yadav said that among the nine people arrested are two managers of Oreva company, two ticket clerks, two contractors, and three security guards.
     

    Also read: Morbi bridge collapse: Company in the eye of the storm is the owner of famous wall clock brands Ajanta and Orpat

    Also read: Morbi bridge collapse: US, Russia, Poland, Nepal, others condole tragedy

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  • Morbi bridge collapse: All you need to know about the suspension bridge in Gujarat

    Morbi bridge collapse: All you need to know about the suspension bridge in Gujarat

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    A hanging bridge collapsed in Gujarat’s Morbi district on Sunday evening, killing over 141 people and injuring several others. Around 300 people were reportedly present around the bridge at the time of the collapse due to Chhath Puja. People jumped off the bridge and pulled its wires at the time of the incident. 

    The 230-metre bridge was built in the 19th century during British India and inaugurated on February 20, 1879. The bridge is located around 300 km from the capital city Gandhinagar. It was closed for renovation for six months. Its description on the district collectorate website stated the suspension bridge was said to reflect “the progressive and scientific nature of the rulers of Morbi.” 

    A private operator named Oreva carried out the repair work of the bridge for nearly six months before it was reopened for the public on October 26. 

    Morbi Municipality’s chief officer Sandeepsinh Zala told news agency PTI, “The bridge was given to Oreva company for operation and maintenance for 15 years. In March this year, it was closed for the public for renovation. It reopened after renovation on the Gujarati New Year day celebratd on October 26.”

    The local municipality authorities, however, did not issue a fitness certificate or other requisite permissions after the renovation work was completed. 

    An FIR has been lodged under sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (intentional act causing death) and 114 (abettor present when offence committed), according to Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi. He further said that a high-powered committee will carry out a probe in the incident. 

    Commenting on the rescue operations, the Gujarat Information Department said in a statement, “More than 100 deaths have been reported till early morning. Around 177 people have been rescued, 19 people are under treatment. The Army, Navy, Air Force, NDRF, Fire Brigade are conducting search operations.”

    Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cancelled his road show in Ahmedabad whereas Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal canceled all his events in the state. The Congress also postponed its Gujarat Parivartan Sankalp Yatra in five zones of the poll-bound state. 

    (With agency inputs)

    Also read: Gujarat bridge collapse: 141 people dead; PM Modi offers ex-gratia to kin of deceased

    Also read: Morbi bridge collapse live updates: PM Modi cancels road show; probe initiated as 141 die

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  • Gujarat bridge collapse: Over 140 people dead; PM Modi offers ex-gratia to kin of deceased

    Gujarat bridge collapse: Over 140 people dead; PM Modi offers ex-gratia to kin of deceased

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    More than 140 people have died whereas several are said to be injured after a hanging bridge collapsed in Machhu river in Gujarat’s Morbi district on Sunday. Several teams of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are engaged in rescue operations at present and 177 people have been rescued so far. 

    An Indian Army official told news agency ANI. “The rescue operation is still underway. The Indian Army has reached here around 3 at night. We are trying to recover the bodies. Teams of NDRF are also carrying out rescue operations.”

    Top points to know 

    1. Rescue team comprises five NDRF teams consisting of 110 officials, 149 SRDF officials, a team of Jamnagar Garuda Commando, 50 divers from the Indian Army in nearby areas and 20 rescue boats. 

    2. The Indian Naval Station Valsura has sent a team of over 40 personnel for rescue operations including marine commandos and seamen. 

    3. Over 25 ambulances from several places while several private ambulances and 3 Army ambulances arrived at the spot. 

    4. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for kin of deceased and a compensation of Rs 50,000 for those injured. 

    5. Gujarat government announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh for kin of those who lost their lives and a compensation of Rs 50,00 for those injured in the Morbi bridge collapse. 

    6. Gujarat CM Bhuepndrabhai Patel visited the Morbi Civil Hospital where those injured from the bridge collapse were admitted. 

    7. Around 40 doctors from health centres including hospitals in Rajkot and Surendranagar have started emergency treatment at the Morbi Civil Hospital. 

    8. The Gujarat government has set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to inquire into the incident.

    9. Commissioner of Municipalities Rajkumar Beniwal will head the SIT while other members are Secretary of Roads and Building Department Sandeep Vasava, Inspector General of Police Subhash Trivedi and two engineers specialising in structural and quality control. 

    10. Events such as PM Modi’s road show at Ahmedabad and Congress’; Gujarat Parivartan Sankalp Yatra in five zones have been postponed. 

    (With inputs from AajTak, agencies)

    Also read: Gujarat bridge collapse: PM announces ex-gratia for victims, Amit Shah says NDRF reaching soon

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  • Gujarat bridge collapse: PM announces ex-gratia for victims, Amit Shah says NDRF reaching soon

    Gujarat bridge collapse: PM announces ex-gratia for victims, Amit Shah says NDRF reaching soon

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    Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday, announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of each of those who died in a bridge collapse in Gujarat’s Morbi city. According to the local officials, nearly century-old suspension bridge collapsed on Sunday evening in Gujarat’s Morbi and several people standing on it fell into the river.

    The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), in a series of tweets, said, ”PM Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF (Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund) for the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives in the mishap in Morbi. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.”

    At least 32 people died after the suspension bridge collapse on the Machchhu river. Several people standing on the bridge fell into the river, officials added.

    The prime minister also spoke with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and other officials regarding the incident and sought urgent mobilisation of teams for rescue operations.

    PM Modi also asked that the situation be closely and continuously monitored, and all possible help be extended to those affected.

    In addition to this, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) will soon reach the site of a suspension bridge collapse.

    “I am deeply saddened by the accident in Morbi. I have spoken to Harsh Sanghvi, Minister of State for Home, Gujarat and other officials in this regard,” said Shah. He further added that the administration has promptly carried out rescue and relief work.

    “Local administration is engaged in relief work with full readiness, NDRF is also reaching the spot soon. The administration has been directed to provide immediate treatment to the injured,” Shah tweeted in Hindi.

    The bridge, which was recently reopened for the public after renovation, collapsed as it could not bear the weight of the people standing on it, the officials said.

    (With inputs from PTI)

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