by: Nav Jeevan

PM Modi visits Morbi bridge collapse site, pats Army’s mission, meets survivors at hospital

  • Need of the hour is to conduct a detailed and extensive inquiry which will identify all aspects relating to this mishap: PM
  • PM says key learnings from the inquiry must be implemented at the earliest
  • CM Bhupendra Patel declares state mourning on Wednesday, Nov 2
  • Ahmedabad civic body imposes restrictions on Atal bridge

 NE NEWS SERVICE

AHMEDABAD, NOV 1

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday visited  Morbi in Saurashtra where 136 people were killed after a cable bridge across the Machchhu river came crossing down on Sunday evening. He also held a high-level review meeting at SP office there.

He spent an hour in visiting the accident site, meeting the injured at the hospital and holding a meeting at the Police Superintendent’s office.

Prime Minister interacts with soldiers of Golden Katar Division

Narendra Modi interacted with soldiers of Golden Katar Division involved in the rescue operations for Morbi Bridge accident, understood the complexities of the operation, lauded the selfless commitment and proactive approach in responding to the humanitarian tragedy and appreciated their efforts in assisting the local administration in rescue and relief operations.

He also met NDRF, Navy and all those involved in the rescue and relief operations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting in Morbi, Gujarat to review the situation in the wake of the unfortunate bridge mishap there.

Prime Minister said that the authorities must stay in touch with the affected families and ensure that they receive all possible help in this tragic hour.

Officials briefed the Prime Minister on the rescue ops and the assistance provided to those affected.

Prime Minister said the need of the hour is to conduct a detailed and extensive inquiry which will identify all aspects relating to this mishap. He also added that the key learnings from the inquiry must be implemented at the earliest.

Modi was briefed on the mishap and rescue operations by Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi. The prime minister, who spent around ten minutes at one side of the bridge, was accompanied by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Gujarat BJP president CR Paatil.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced the observance of a state-wide mourning day in Gujarat on Wednesday, November 2 for the victims of the tragedy and their families

Ahmedabad civic body imposes restrictions on Atal bridge

The Ahmedabad civic body has decided to restrict the number of persons on the pedestrian-only Atal Bridge on the Sabarmati River here to 3,000 per hour, after the Morbi tragedy, an official said.

The 300-metre long and 14-metre wide Atal Bridge, which connects the flower garden on the western-end of the riverfront and the upcoming arts and culture centre on the eastern-end, has become a huge attraction for people since it was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 27.

“Though the bridge is capable of bearing the weight of nearly 12,000 people, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has decided to limit the number of visitors on it in view of the Morbi bridge tragedy,” the civic-run Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Ltd, which manages the structure, said in a statement on Monday.

 

“As a precaution, we have decided to limit the number of visitors on the Atal Bridge. Now, only 3,000 visitors will be given entry every hour. Not more than 3,000 people per hour will be allowed to stand on the bridge, and the rest will be asked to wait on the Riverfront for their turn,” it added.

The Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Limited said the bridge is very strong and safe, but the decision has been taken for the safety of visitors and appealed for cooperation on this issue.

The bridge, with an eye-catching design and LED lighting, has been built using 2,600 tons of steel pipes. Its roof is made of colourful fabric and the railing has been built with glass and stainless steel.