State Congress president Adhir Chowdhury demanded an ‘answer’ from West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Public Works Department Minister Firhad Hakim.
The collapsed Majerhat bridge deserved better maintenance. There are reports that there was a pit near the bridge that remained unattended for quite some time, I don’t know whether PWD took note of it. PWD and railway administration had the responsibility to maintain it. The matter requires investigation: West Bengal governor Keshari Nath Tripathi
Train services in Circular Railway and Sealdah-Budge Budge line have been suspended as precautionary measure following the collapse of a portion of the Majerhat bridge at 4.45 pm in Kolkata on Tuesday.
Traffic on arterial Alipore Road, Diamond Harbour Road has been suspended.
Four cranes, nearly 500 rescue workers have been pressed into action along with locals who have rushed to bring out those trapped under the Majerhat bridge.
Army has not been called in, however, an army field hospital detachment has been sent: Indian Army
We are very worried. We are receiving information from the rescue team on ground(majerhat bridge collapse in Kolkata). We want to go back as soon as possible. There are no flights in the evening, we are unable to do so: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in Darjeeling (file pic) pic.twitter.com/DJfU1QDEm2
— ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2018
Fire brigade, police and NDRF personnel are engaged in rescue work.
Majerhat bridge in South Kolkata had collapsed following heavy rains in West Bengal’s capital on Tuesday. According to initial reports, several people are feared trapped under the debris. Five people have reportedly been confirmed dead. The number is likely to go up as several vehicles were passing under and over the bridge when it collapsed.
The state disaster team has reached the spot and locals are also assisting in rescue operations and are trying to free people from the flyover debris.
According to ground reports, at least one mini bus and several cars have been crushed under the collapsed bridge.
