The bridge sagging incident in Mizoram which has claimed 17 lives was due to the collapse of a gantry which was being launched on the under-construction bridge over Kurung river, the Railways said Wednesday.
The Railways has constituted a high-level committee to probe the incident involving the under-construction bridge, one of the 130 bridges in the Bhairavi-Sairang New Railway Line project.
A Railways spokesperson said the gantry which collapsed was designed by STUP Consultant and proof checked by IIT Guwahati.
“High level enquiry committee has been constituted to investigate into the matter,” the spokesperson said.
Gantries are heavy steel structures used to lift and support bridge segments or girders as they are placed while being supported by the bridge piers instead of the ground.
“The bridge did not collapse. It was a gantry which fell while it was being launched on the under-construction bridge,” the spokesperson told PTI.
While Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga referred to the incident as a bridge collapse, the Railways claimed that the part of the bridge which has already been constructed is still intact.
The Bairabi Sairang line is a 51 km long from Bairabi to Sairang under the Northeast Frontier Railway zone of Indian Railways.
The rail line entails 130 bridges, 23 tunnels and four stations — Hortoki, Kawnpui, Mualkhang and Sairang.
Meanwhile, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the kin of workers who died when an under-construction bridge collapsed in Mizoram on Wednesday.
He also announced an ex gratia compensation of Rs 50,000 for those who suffered minor injuries.
“Grieved by the unfortunate incident in Mizoram. NDRF, state administration and railway officials are at the site. Rescue operation on war footing. Ex-gratia compensation: ?10 Lakh in case of death, ?2 Lakh towards grievous and ?50,000 for minor injuries,” the minister said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
“Seventeen bodies have been recovered from the debris so far… many others are still missing,” a police officer said.
Rescue and relief efforts are underway, he said.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had condoled with the family members of the deceased, and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of the victims.
“Pained by the bridge mishap in Mizoram. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. Rescue operations are underway and all possible assistance is being given to those affected.
“An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. Rs. 50,000 would be given to the injured,” the Prime Minister’s Office said on X.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said they were saddened at the loss of lives of several people in a railway bridge collapse in Mizoram and urged the authorities to speed up the rescue and relief work.
“Deeply saddened to learn about the terrible tragedy in Sairang area, in Mizoram, where an under construction railway bridge collapsed, resulting in the loss of lives of several people, including construction workers.
“Our heartfelt sympathies and thoughts are with the families of the bereaved. We hope for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Kharge said on X, formerly Twitter.
“We urge the authorities to expedite the rescue and relief work, so that precious lives can be saved,” he also said.
Rahul Gandhi also said he was deeply saddened by the tragic news of the death of several people due to the collapse of an under-construction railway overbridge in Mizoram.
“My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. Wish a speedy recovery to those injured. I urge Congress workers to provide all possible help in relief and rescue efforts,” Gandhi said on X.
