Highlights
- A total of 135 people have died in Morbi cable bridge collapse incident in Gujarat
- Prosecution said contractors who carried out repairs of the Morbi bridge were not qualified enough
- While the flooring of the bridge was replaced, its cable was not replaced
Morbi bridge collapse: Gujarat on Wednesday observed state-wide mourning to pay homage to victims of the cable bridge collapse in Morbi. The incident, which occurred on Sunday has so far claimed 135 lives.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who chaired a meeting to review the situation post the tragedy had earlier announced a day's mourning in Gujarat, on November 2.
"The Gujarat government has decided to observe state-wide mourning on November 2. The National Flag will be flown at half mast in the state and no official function will be held," Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel tweeted.
On Tuesday, PM Modi called for a "detailed and extensive" inquiry into the tragedy and said its key learnings must be implemented at the earliest.
Prime Minister Modi visited the collapse site and the local hospital where the injured have been admitted.
"The need of the hour is to conduct a detailed and extensive inquiry which will identify all aspects relating to this mishap," Modi said.
Key learnings from the inquiry must be implemented at the earliest and authorities must stay in touch with the affected families and ensure that they receive all possible help in this tragic hour, he said.
The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi, local MLA and minister Brijesh Merja, state chief secretary Pankaj Kumar and state Director General of Police Ashish Bhatia, among others.
Morbi bridge collapse case in Supreme Court
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said it would list for hearing on November 14 a PIL seeking the constitution of a judicial commission to probe the Morbi bridge collapse incident.
"You are very quick. What are your prayers," a bench comprising Chief Justice Uday Umesh Lalit and Justice Bela M Trivedi said when lawyer Vishal Tiwari mentioned his public interest litigation (PIL) on the issue for urgent hearing.
"I am seeking a judicial enquiry by a panel headed by a former Supreme Court judge," the lawyer said.
The bench then said the PIL would be listed for hearing on November 14.
Tiwari, in the plea, said the accident depicted the negligence and utter failure of government authorities.
Over the past decade, various incidents have taken place in our country wherein due to mismanagement, lapses in duty, and negligent maintenance activities, there have been cases of huge public casualties which could have been avoided, the PIL said.
The more than a century-old bridge on the Machchhu river in Morbi, located around 300 km from the state capital Gandhinagar, reopened five days ago after extensive repairs and renovation.
It was crammed with people when it collapsed around 6.30 pm on October 30.
The death toll in the bridge collapse incident has gone up to 134, a senior police officer said.
In his plea, Tiwari has sought the constitution of a judicial commission under the chairmanship of a retired judge of the apex court to initiate a probe into the matter.
The plea has sought directions to the states to form a committee to survey and conduct an assessment risk of old and risky monuments and bridges to ensure environmental viability and safety.
The plea claimed the authorities have also failed in controlling the tourists, and it has been reported that over 500 people were on the bridge at the time of the incident.
(With inputs from PTI)
