Majerhat Bridge in Kolkata collapses: Drastically hits trains and traffic
At about 5:21 pm in South Kolkata, the 40-years old Majerhat Bridge collapsed without any warning. Many cars were trapped beneath the collapsed rubble of the Majerhat Bridge.
According to witnesses, the flyover crashed straight in the middle. The bridge was among the busiest in the city. It collapsed over rail tracks in the Alipore area. Rescue operations began soon after. The area around the collapse is surrounded half-constructed buildings, scaffolding and pillars.
Several people were trapped due to the Majerhat Bridge collapse. One person has been killed due to the collapsing. This fact has been confirmed the police. Firefighters reported that they have rescued almost 25 people from the rubble, all of whom are injured. They have been admitted to SSKM and CMRI hospitals, the police reported.
State minister, Chandrima Bhattacharya claimed that she had heard of the death of five people. This claim has not been confirmed yet. Earthmovers are being used to clear the rubble.
Another minister, Firhad Hakim said that technical enquiry into the situation shall be done once the rescue operations are completed.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that the first priority was to rescue the injured and trapped. She also said that a probe would be ordered to investigate the cause of the collapse. City mayor Sovan Chatterjee and senior police officers soon arrived at the scene of the accident.
Circular Railway services and local train services in Budge Budge-Sealdah line were heavily affected. The Eastern Railway Services were suspended from 4:45 pm. The traffic of vast areas in South Kolkata and the 24 Paraganas district was heavily immobolized as well.
The Majerhat Bridge collapse incident was truly a shock to the state and the nation. People lost their lives or are heavily injured. What will the probe reveal? Who is to blame? What do you think?
