Collapsed bridge was 100 years old

National Disaster Response Force personnel carry out rescue operations even as a crowd of onlookers gathers nearby. (Photo: Rajesh Jadhav)

The state government said on Wednesday that the Mahad bridge that collapsed was 100 years old and built during the British period, adding that its safety audit was conducted only in May this year and that it was declared fit for transportation. But the Opposition demanded that responsibility for the collapse be fixed accordingly if the fitness certificate for the bridge was issued only a couple of months ago. The government has agreed to conduct an inquiry. Meanwhile, NCP leader Ajit Pawar has even demanded that a murder case under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) be registered against state public works department (PWD) minister Chandrakant Patil.

The issue of the Mahad bridge collapsing came up in the Assembly on Wednesday after the Opposition demanded action against the officials concerned, and against Mr Patil. The House was adjourned twice over the issue, as the Opposition demanded an immediate discussion on the collapse, keeping aside all listed business.

In his reply, Mr Patil said the bridge was 100 years old and was built during the British period. “The second bridge on the river was started in 2001. The old bridge’s inspection was conducted in May and it was declared fit for transportation. One lane was hence kept open for transportation on the old bridge, and another lane was open on the new bridge. But we will conduct an audit, carried out by IIT, of all the bridges built during the British period. If these need strengthening, we will then carry out repairs. Otherwise, new bridges will be constructed,”he said.

Mr Patil also informed the House that the superintendent of police and collector of the area had gone to the spot personally after the accident and started rescue work immediately. Two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and two helicopters were carrying out the rescue work.

The Opposition demanded action against the officials responsible for the faulty audit and tried to disrupt proceedings of the House in the morning. Former chief minister and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan said that the government should set up a judicial probe in the matter. “If a fitness certificate is given in May and the bridge collapses in August, then responsibility should be fixed. A judicial probe should be conducted,” he said.

Mr Pawar said, “According to the government, an audit was conducted on the bridge and it was declared fit for transportation in May, and it collapsed in August. The (PWD) minister should take responsibility and he should be booked under IPC section 302. The officials who conducted the audit should also be booked.”