Under-construction bridge collapses near Kota, 4 killed

JAIPUR : Four people were killed and over 20 feared trapped after an under-construction bridge over the Chambal river collapsed on the Kota-Udaipur highway near Dabi on Thursday evening.

According to district officials, who rushed to the spot, eight persons have been rescued. They were admitted to MBS Hospital in Kota with serious injuries.

\"Legal action will be taken against the construction companies after a detailed investigation,\" said a senior police officer.

According to reports, nearly 50 persons, mostly engineers and labourers, were working at the site when the bridge collapsed. The site is nearly 30 kilometres from Kota. \"Four bodies have been recovered and eight people have been rescued. However, many more are missing. There is a possibility that a few labourers might have fallen into the river or are still under the debris,\" said an official.

District collector T Ravikant told TOI that the priority was to take out those trapped under the debris. Rescue workers had a hard time sifting through the debris as several metal structures blocked their path.

Though senior officials including the district collector reached the spot, rescue operation could not be launched immediately as there was no light in the area. Cranes and other equipment have been requisitioned from Kota Thermal Power Plant and Rawatbhata, said authorities. Army's help has also been sought, they said. However, by late evening, the district administration managed to get divers besides arranging halogen lamps. \"The rescue operation is likely to continue through the night and we have also alerted the nearby hospitals,\" said Ravikant.

Inspector general of police Rajiv Dasot said cases would be registered against the construction companies — Gammon India and Hyundai — if any negligence is found on their part.

Meanwhile, chief minister Ashok Gehlot expressed concern over the incident. He announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the next of the kin who died in the incident. Those who suffered serious injuries would be given Rs 1 lakh and other injured would be given Rs 50,000 each.

PWD minister Pramod Jain Bhayya also rushed to the spot. He said that the state government has ordered an inquiry into the incident.
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