In a tragic turn of events, an under-construction railway bridge in Mizoram's Aizawl district collapsed last week leading to the death of 18 workers, primarily from West Bengal. Five workers remain missing. The Indian Railways cites a gantry collapse as the cause. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the deceased's families. Mizoram and West Bengal Chief Ministers have expressed their condolences and pledged support for ongoing rescue efforts. The event has ignited discussions on the need for enhanced safety in infrastructure projects.
In a tragic incident in Mizoram's Aizawl district, an under-construction railway bridge standing at 100 meters high collapsed, claiming the lives of 18 workers and leaving five unaccounted for, local police confirmed.
The catastrophe struck at around 10 am on Wednesday in the Sairang region, situated about 21 km from Mizoram’s capital, Aizawl. Of the victims, twelve have been identified as workers from West Bengal, primarily hailing from Pukuria, English Bazar, and Manikchak in West Bengal's Malda district.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee conveyed her deep condolences, emphasizing that plans are in motion to repatriate the bodies to West Bengal. She further added that she is in touch with Mizoram officials to expedite rescue operations.
The Indian Railways pinpointed the disaster's cause to the collapse of a launching gantry on the bridge over the Kurung River. This unfortunate event now stands under the spotlight, with a high-level committee being commissioned to investigate the calamity. The bridge was part of the expansive Bhairavi-Sairang New Railway Line project, which includes 130 other bridges.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, assuring all possible support to the affected. Through an official statement on social media, he declared an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for each victim's next of kin, while those injured in the event will receive Rs 50,000.
Mizoram's Chief Minister, Zoramthanga, voiced his distress over the incident. He also expressed his deep appreciation for the vast number of volunteers and professionals aiding in the rescue operations. Additionally, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a substantial compensation package of Rs 10 lakh for the families of the deceased workers, emphasizing the importance of safety and the need for stringent measures in such infrastructure projects.
In conclusion, this tragic event underscores the urgency for meticulous safety measures in large-scale infrastructure undertakings. As the nation mourns the loss of its workers, there is a collective call for ensuring such tragedies do not repeat in the future.
Advertisement
Facebook
Whatsapp
