A preliminary report of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has blamed the structural audit for the collapse of foot overbridge near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station on Thursday. The incident had left six people killed and more than 30 others injured.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who visited the bridge site and met those injured in the incident this morning, had sought a preliminary report from the authorities (Kunal Patil/HT Photo)
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
“There is a prima facie reason to believe that the structural audit has been conducted an irresponsible and negligent manner. This tragedy could have been avoided if the structural audit had been done diligently,” news agency ANI reported on Friday.
{{^usCountry}}{{/usCountry}}
“It’s apparent that structural audit report has failed to point out an impending failure. In spite of commissioning the report of bridge and spending public money on it, true condition of bridge was not brought out. The structural report should be made public,” ANI reported.
Watch: CM Fadnavis talks tough on Mumbai bridge collapse
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who visited the bridge site and met those injured in the incident this morning, had sought a preliminary report from the authorities asking them to “fix primary responsibility” for the mishap.
The BMC has suspended two officials and ordered inquiry against two retired officials. Show cause notice has been issued to the auditor and one contractor, who repaired the bridge.
This was the second incident of bridge collapse in Mumbai in nine months. On July 3, 2018 a pedestrian pathway of Gokhale bridge had come crashing on the railway tracks at Andheri railway station. Two people were killed while five others were injured in that incident.
Following the July 2018 incident, the railways had ordered audit of 445 bridge structures crossing the railway tracks in Mumbai. A team headed by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Bombay conducted audit of the bridges. This bridge was found fit for use.
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.
Get Latest News, breaking headlines, and top India News, and today real-time updates from across the nation. Stay informed on politics, government policies, crime, Today Weather, and major developments on Hindustan Times
Get Latest News, breaking headlines, and top India News, and today real-time updates from across the nation. Stay informed on politics, government policies, crime, Today Weather, and major developments on Hindustan Times
