Morbi bridge collapse: Huge lapses have come to light following investigation into the Morbi bridge collapse in Gujarat. Cables on the bridge were found rusted, anchors were broken and untrained staff was manning the bridge and 3,165 tickets were issued to people.
These critical facts form the crux of the forensic report that was presented in court that is hearing the bail plea of the 8 of the 9 accused arrested. It raises questions on the role of the management, the contractor Oreva Group and the local municipality.
Over 130 people died last month when the British era bridge over across the Machchhu river in Gujarat’s Morbi collapsed on October 30 after reopening.
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Onus on Oreva group
The court was informed that Oreva Group contracted to maintain and operate bridge, sold more than 3000 tickets on the day. It did not care to check if the bridge was strong enough to take the load.
Another damning finding in the report was that the bridge that collapsed just four days after it was reopened, was to be kept closed for eight to 12 months as per the contract. However, it reopened after seven months without any fitness certificate by the local civic body.
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Enormous tragedy, says SC
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Monday termed the Morbi bridge collapse an “enormous tragedy” and asked the Gujarat High Court to hold periodical hearings. “It is an enormous tragedy and this will require weekly monitoring to see the award of contract, credential of the party awarded the contract, attribution of responsibility for those guilty,” observed a bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Hima Kohli.
The High Court is already hearing a suo motu case on the issue.
The Gujarat police has filed a First Information Report under IPC sections 304 and 308 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) in the case. The Gujarat government has constituted a five-member committee to probe the incident.
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