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Bhopal overbridge collapse: Officials had turned blind eye to complaints
The portion of a bridge that collapsed late on Monday night in Bhopal causing the death of a couple was reportedly repaired by the PWD last year.
The portion of a bridge that collapsed late on Monday night in Bhopal causing the death of a couple was reportedly repaired by the PWD last year.
HT in a report last year had highlighted the dilapidated condition of the bridge, but PWD officials refused to take notice of the matter.
PWD minister Sartaj Singh blamed the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) for the accident, while after its preliminary inquiry the BMC found that the portion had collapsed due to poor maintenance by the PWD.
Social activist Abdul Jabbar, who had been writing about the dilapidated condition of the bridge for the past one year, said, “I have left no stone unturned to inform authorities about the danger, but no one paid any attention to it.”
In past three years, 15 people have lost their lives in different accidents involving collapses of structures, but no action was taken against responsible officers.
Bhopal collector Nishant Warwade said, “Inquiries have been conducted after mishaps. If some officer or employee has been found guilty and has not punished yet, we will take action against him.”
PWD, BMC ordered to submit report
The Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission (MPHRC) has sought reports from the authorities concerned about the circumstances leading to the collapse of a portion of the overbridge.
The MPHRC took cognisance of the fact that there was lack of maintenance of the bridge, despite complaints made to officials. Hence, it has sought explanation from the Public Works Department (PWD), apart from the BMC.
The chief engineer, PWD and the BMC commissioner have been directed to send their reports in this regard. Apart from these two, the district collector and the superintendent of police (SP) have also been asked to submit their reports.
Deadly collapses
15 people have lost their lives in 11 accidents in last 3 years involving collapse of various structures in Bhopal, but authorities have failed to fix accountability in almost all cases
August 17, 2015: A building collapsed at Vinoba Colony, killing a 70-year-old woman
June 22: A boundary wall of the MP Secondary Education Board office collapsed, killing a girl
July 21, 2014: A man and his wife were killed when a supporting wall on the BRTS corridor at Lal Ghati collapsed on two houses
Aug 24, 2013: A BMC employee died when a part of a residential structure collapsed on him in Talaiya area
May 4: Nearly 40-metre-long boundary wall of the board office employees colony collapsed
Dec 1, 2012: A wall collapsed in Barkehdi area. No casualties or injuries reported
Nov 19: Seven persons were killed and 35 others injured when an overhead water tank collapsed in Sai Baba Nagar slum area
August 7: MANIT boundary wall collapsed and fell on the Durga Nagar shanties, killing three people
August 6: State tribal museum wall collapsed after heavy showers
July 8: Pari Park wall collapsed on a car
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