Jaipur:
The death toll rose to 30 on Sunday in the collapse of an under-construction bridge over Chambal river in Rajasthan. Around 25 people are still feared trapped under the debris.
Personnel of the Indian Army and local administration are helping in rescue operations.
While the Centre has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the families of the dead to be given by the contractor companies, the state government too has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the dead and Rs 1 lakh for those injured.
The bridge was being constructed by South Korea's Hyundai Engineering and Gammon India, which was blacklisted by the Delhi Metro after an accident in July this year. Two engineers; one of Hyundai and other from Gammon were arrested on Friday for causing death due to negligence.
Tragedy struck Kota in Rajasthan at around 5 pm on Thursday. The cable way bridge that was coming up along the Kota-Udaipur Highway caved in when an iron column of 175 m was being de-mounted.
Now all that is left of the bridge is the debris, 90 per cent of which is still lying inside the river.
Commenting on the incident, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said: "Same company was involved in another collapse in Delhi. There should be an investigation by NHAI and responsible people should be punished. We have arrested two people and we want them punished."
Although an inquiry has been ordered and the two companies have been charged with criminal negligence, the former chief minister, Vasundhara Raje, was quick to slam the Congress government. "When this company had a poor track record, why the government did did not monitor the work closely," she said.
As the blame game begins, the 22 year old Ramswaroop's family is desperately praying for a miracle. Ramswaroop is one of the labourers who are still trapped.
"No monetary compensation, but want brother back. All this has happened because of negligence," said Dooramal, brother of Ramswaroop.
Whether it was the faulty design or the use of sub standard materials which led to this tragedy is likely to be debated for a long time, for the moment, the reality is that rescue operations continue, the chances of those trapped in this tragedy are fading with each passing hour.