Gujarat bridge collapse: PM Modi visits accident site in Morbi, meets injured at hospital; calls for extensive inquiry

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday visited the bridge collapse site in Gujarat’s Morbi and took stock of the situation. At the accident site, the Prime Minister was briefed about search and rescue operations, which are still underway. He was accompanied by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. The prime minister also met the injured at the Morbi Civil Hospital. He was seen asking the survivors about their health. 

The prime minister said that the need of the hour is to conduct extensive inquiry to identify all aspects related to the tragedy. Chairing a high-level meeting to review situation, PM Modi said that the key learnings from inquiry must be implemented at the earliest.

Officials briefed the prime minister about the rescue operations at the site where 135 people were killed on Sunday when the British-era suspension bridge on the Machchhu river collapsed.

Before he arrived at the spot, the prime minister conducted an aerial survey of the location. The collapsed bridge connected Darbargadh Palace on one end and Swaminarayan temple on the other.

The PM arrived at Darbargadh Palace where he was briefed by officials about what might have gone wrong with the bridge structure.

Earlier in the day, the Gujarat government distributed Rs 4 lakh ex gratia among the next of kin of each of the victims in the bridge collapse. 

“Kin of each of the 135 victims have been handed over cheques worth Rs 4 lakh each towards compensation. In all, we have handed over relief cumulatively worth Rs 5.40 crore,” H R Sanchla, the mamlatdar in charge of the control room, said.

Police have so far arrested nine persons, including four from the Morbi-based Oreva Group that was managing the suspension bridge, and filed a case against firms tasked with maintenance and operation of the British-era structure.

The clock and e-bike maker Oreva group was given a contract by the Morbi Municipality to repair and operate the ill-fated hanging bridge for 15 years and charge tickets in the range of Rs 10 to Rs 15 for its use, as per documents of the municipality.