BHOPAL : The Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC), in its probe report, has found that the portion of the Bharat Talkies RoB had collapsed due to its dilapidated condition. BMC commissioner Tejaswi Naik had constituted a probe committee in connection with over-bridge tragedy on Tuesday. Deputy commissioner Harish Gupta, City engineer AK Nanda, assistant engineer and ward no-10 zonal officer HS Bedi were in the committee.
The committee prima facie found that cracks had developed in the over bridge built in 1972 exposing iron rods which were very weak and because of it, its slab collapsed. As per the report, the over-bridge was under possession of PWD so it is PWD which has responsibility of maintenance. Fitting of street lights and installation of electric poles were also done by PWD. BMC maintains the street lights of bridges.
Frame structure life is 50 year-80 years but for it, proper maintenance is must. The portion which has collapsed is portion over hang/cantilever and just of reinforcement, the cracks had developed in upper layer exposing steel. Most probably, this was reason behind collapse.
However, PWD minister Sartaj Singh said, “PWD had written a letter to former mayor Krishna Gaur for proper maintenance of electric poles installed on over-bridge.
Mayor Alok Sharma said, “Over bride is still in possession of PWD. It has not been handed to BMC so BMC has nothing to do with bridge maintenance.”
YC holds demonstration at PWD Minister’s residence
Youth Congress has demanded Rs 10 lakh for the next of kin of those who died in the collapse of a slab of Bharat Talkies RoB on Tuesday. The youth congress members led by state chief Kunal Chaudhary demonstrated at residence at PWD Sartaj Singh in protest against collapse of over bridge at Bharat Talkies. Youth Congress also Rs 2.5 lakh to each injured.
Kunal Chaudhary said, “We demonstrated at PWD minister Saratj Singh bungalow in connection with over- bridge tragedy. We have demanded Rs 10 lakh to kith and kin of each deceased and Rs 2.5 lakh to each injured. It is not justified to blame each other. BMC and PWD are blaming each other. But people have nothing to do with this blame game. There must be accountability and responsibility. Minister Sartaj Singh did not come out to meet with us.”
