Majerhat Bridge Collapse: Many vehicles have been stuck after a bridge collapsed in Kolkata
A section of a bridge in a busy area of posh south Kolkata came crashing down this afternoon, triggering shock across the city. Many people are feared trapped underneath, some still in their vehicles. One person was killed, 24 were injured and they have been shifted to the hospital. The army, which has its base in the nearby Fort William, has sent its personnel for rescue work.
The 40-year-old bridge, built by the Port Trust, stood over some rail tracks in Alipore -- one of the very old areas of the city. The area is surrounded by half-constructed buildings, scaffolding and pillars.
Eyewitnesses said around 4.45 pm, a huge segment of the bridge came crashing down. Pictures from the area showed the collapsed section resting on the road, at least nine vehicles, including a mini bus, and several two-wheelers still on it.
Here are the highlights from the bridge collapse in south Kolkata:
The Eastern Railway on Wednesday confirmed it was not conducting any maintenance work at the accident site.
The West Bengal government will pay compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the family of the dead, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, reported IANS. The government will also pay Rs 50,000 to each of the injured.
The Rail Vikas Nigam Limited, which is executing construction of the Joka-BBD Bag metro corridor in the vicinity of the Majerhat bridge that collapsed on Tuesday, denied any relationship of metro construction with the incident, according to news agency PTI.
RVNL Chief Project Manager/Line AK Roy said the collapse of Majerhat road overbridge (ROB) girder over canal portion was a "mid-span failure of RCC girder which are very old and of longer length of approximately 40 metres".
"There is no relationship of Metro project construction with this mid-span failure of RCC girder of the ROB. In fact, the condition of piers on both ends are clear indication of this," he said in a statement, according to a PTI report.
Mr Roy said the approach piers of ROB on both ends of the affected span were intact in position.
"Metro foundation work at 4.5 m away from this ROB's piers has been completed long back (more than one year) and presently preparatory work away from the ROB was in progress for deck casting," he said.
The RVNL is the executing agency for construction of the Joka-BBD Bag metro corridor, which passes through the vicinity of the Majerhat bridge.
Search & rescue operation underway at the spot where part of Majerhat bridge collapsed earlier today. Clearance work also going on: news agency ANI
Majerhat bridge collapse: Sealdah-Budge Budge train services resume: PTI
Train services in the Sealdah-Budge Budge section, which were suspended after a portion of the Majerhat bridge collapsed in south Kolkata on Tuesday, has resumed, an Eastern Railway official said, according to news agency PTI.
Train services between Sealdah and Budge Budge resumed from 9 pm. Circular Railway train services are being maintained between Dum Dum junction and Prinsep Ghat stations, ER spokesperson RN Mahapatra said, according to PTI.
The 30711 Ballygunge-Duttapukur local via Circular Railway, which was stranded en route, was diverted through the Ballygunge-Kankurgachi line from New Alipore at 7.21 pm. Four pairs of local trains in the Sealdah-Budge Budge section had to be cancelled, the official said.
Eastern Railway maintained that no railway construction was going on near the collapsed portion of the bridge. It also stated that maintenance of the collapsed portion was not under their jurisdiction.
We Heard A Loud Bang, And A Portion Of The Bridge Caved In: Eyewitness- news agency PTI
"We were working nearby and suddenly heard a loud bang. Then, we saw a portion of the bridge collapse," said a labourer engaged in metro railway work who witnessed the collapse of Majerhat bridge in Kolkata on Tuesday, according to news agency PTI.
"It was around 4.45 pm. We saw a minibus, cars and bikes come down with the bridge. We ran towards the spot," he said.
Another eyewitness said the bridge collapsed on the canal flowing under it, preventing a major tragedy.
"Had it collapsed on the railway tracks a major disaster could have occurred if a train arrived at that time," he said.
Shortly after the bridge collapsed, personnel from fire brigade, police and NDRF reched the spot, eye witnesses said. Locals too chipped in with the rescue work under way.
Cranes, iron cutters and drills were brought in to remove the debris, said the report from PTI.
A minibus, four cars and a few motorbikes damaged by the accident lay at the site as rescue workers tried to pull out the injured from the vehicles.
The rescue operation was continuing amidst intermittent rain.
As evening turned to night, power supply in the area was restored and additional arrangements were made to facilitate the fire brigade personnel trying to reach those still feared trapped underneath the tonnes of concrete.
"We are drilling on one side of the collapsed concrete to find whether anyone is trapped under," a fire brigade official said.
Nearby areas had been dug up for metro railway construction work and construction material are strewn all over the place.
The entire area has been cordoned off by police after curious onlookers gathered around the site of the accident.
Prantika Goswami, a student, who was in a minibus during the collapse of the bridge was injured and taken to a hospital, according to PTI.
Opposition parties in West Bengal Tuesday alleged that the Trinamool Congress-led government's "callousness towards the repair of old bridges" was the main reason behind the collapse of a portion of the Majerhat bridge, according to news agency PTI.
Governor KN Tripathi, who visited the site, described it as "a big disaster".
"I have come to see the rescue work. It is a big disaster. I heard that maintenance of the bridge is entrusted with the PWD and the railways. The matter required to be enquired," he told reporters.
5 National Disaster Response Force teams have been sent to Kolkata, according to news agency PTI
Five teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been sent to Kolkata for rescuing operations after a bridge in the West Bengal city collapsed Tuesday, killing one and trapping several people, according to a report from the Press Trust of India.
While four teams of the NDRF comprising about 180 personnel have already reached the spot, another team comprising about 45 rescuers is on its way, Home Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted.
He described the incident as extremely tragic and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
The home minister also spoke to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee who apprised him about the ground situation.
He assured Ms Banerjee of more help from the centre if needed.
As of now, according to reports, around 24 are said to have been injured in the Majerhat bridge collapse
Rajnath Singh has spoken to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the Majerhat bridge collapse
Soumen Bag, 21, killed after Majerhat bridge collapsed
Soumen Bag, 21, was travelling from Silpara to College Street, when he was dies in the Majerhat bridge collapse.
Read Here: Second Bridge Collapse In 3 Years In Kolkata, One Dead: 10 Points
A section of a bridge in south Kolkata's posh Alipore area crashed down in the middle of afternoon today, killing at least one person and raising fears of others being trapped under the rubble. The army and locals, who rushed to the rescue, have managed to save 19 lives, sources said. The collapse sent shockwaves through the city, where 26 people died two years ago in a similar tragedy. While the BJP blamed the Chief Minister and her government, Mamata Banerjee, who is on a visit to Darjeeling said rescue, not fixing responsibility, is the need of the hour.
"Extremely tragic," says Rajnath Singh over Majerhat bridge collapse
The Majerhat bridge collapse incident in Kolkata is extremely tragic. Four NDRF teams have already reached the spot. One more team is on the way. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured: Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
Central Armed Police Force reach the spot where part of Majerhat bridge collapsed: news agency ANI
1 dead, 19 injured in Majerhat bridge collapse in south Kolkata
"Trying to assess if people are trapped beneath debris," Kolkata's mayor tells news agency Reuters
"We are trying to assess if there are people trapped beneath the debris," Sovan Chatterjee, the mayor of Kolkata, who visited the accident site, told Reuters.
Mamata Banerjee, chief minister of West Bengal, said in a televised address: "We are still assessing the gravity of the situation and we cannot talk about the deaths right now."
"Anguished" tweets BJP chief Amit Shah on Majerhat bridge collapse
"A part of the Majherhat bridge between Taratala and Mominpur partially collapsed around 4.30 p.m. Six fire tenders have been pressed into service," a fire official said, according to news agency IANS.
Disaster management teams employed cranes for the rescue operation.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, now on a trip to Darjeeling in North Bengal, expressed concern over the incident and said her government will initiate a probe into the collapse.
Mamata Banerjee, After Bridge Collapse, Says No Flights Today, Can't ReturnShortly after a bridge collapse in Kolkata, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is on an official visit to Darjeeling, said she wanted to return to the state capital but there were no flights.
A section of a bridge in south Kolkata came crashing down this afternoon. Many people are feared trapped underneath, some still in their vehicles. Six people are believed to be injured. The bridge stood over some rail tracks in Alipore, one of the most prominent areas in the city.
"Deeply Unfortunate," tweets PM Narendra Modi on the Majerhat Bridge Collapse
Majerhat bridge collapse: Kolkata traffic police updates
Bridge Collapse Sends Road Traffic Haywire, Train Services Hit: news agency PTI
Transport services connecting the vast areas in the south-western part of Kolkata and South 24 Parganas district were severely affected owing to collapse of a portion of a road over the bridge at Majherhat on the arterial Diamond Harbour Road Tuesday, according to news agency PTI.
A Kolkata Traffic Police officer said traffic movement through Diamond Harbour Road in Taratala area has been suspended following the incident.
Traffic from various parts of South 24 Parganas and Behala area in the city were being diverted from Diamond Park area, the officer said.
Movement of traffic towards south-west Kolkata and South 24 Parganas were being diverted from Kidderpore and through Port area and Circular Garden Reach Road, he said.
Train services in Circular Railway and Sealdah-Budge Budge line have been suspended as precautionary measure following the collapse of a portion of the bridge at 4.45 pm, Eastern Railway spokesman RN Mahapatra said, quoted by PTI.
The collapse of a portion of the bridge over railway tracks occurred in the adjacent areas of Circular Railway line at Majherhat, leading to a signal post on the track being damaged by the debris, Mahapatra said.
Train movement through Majherhat had been suspended temporarily as a precautionary measure, he said.
Train services on Budge Budge Sealdah line may be restored after ensuring the safety in train running, he said.
Thousands of people travelling in the peak evening hours were inconvenienced owing to the incident.
Read Here: Bridge Collapses In South Kolkata; All Rescued, Says MinisterA bridge collapsed in Majerhat in south Kolkata and a large section crashed, leaving many cars trapped. Many people are feared trapped underneath, some still in their vehicles. Six injured people have been shifted to the hospital, said state minister Firhad Hakim, claiming all those who were trapped have been rescued.
The 40-year-old bridge, built by the Port Trust, stood over some rail tracks in Alipore -- one of the very old areas of the city. The area is surrounded by half-constructed buildings, scaffolding and pillars.
Eyewitnesses said around 4.45 pm, a huge segment of the bridge came crashing down. Pictures from the area showed the collapsed section resting on the road, at least nine vehicles, including a mini bus, and several two-wheelers still on it.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is on a visit to Darjeeling, said the priority for now "is relief and rescue... The rest of the investigation will be done later".
Derek O'Brien Tweets On Kolkata Bridge Collapse
A bridge in one of Kolkata's busiest parts crashed today, leaving many people and cars trapped. A whole section of the Majerhat bridge collapsed. While the damage is yet to be assessed, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has ordered an investigation.
Eyewitness says people in minibus and private cars were trapped: news agency PTI
As crowds gathered at the spot in congested Alipore locality, where mangled cars were buried under the debris of the bridge, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the first priority is to rescue the injured and those who are trapped, according to a Press Trust of India report.
The area has several under-construction buildings nearby.
An eyewitness said some people in a minibus and private cars were trapped, according to PTI.
Fire brigade, police and NDRF personnel are engaged in rescue work in the fading light.
Another West Bengal minister says she "heard about the death" of 5 persons, adding however that it was yet to be confirmed
State minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said she has heard about the death of five persons in the incident but it was yet to be confirmed, according to news agency PTI.
Circular Railway services were affected after the collapse of a section of a bridge at Majerhat in south Kolkata on Tuesday, an Eastern Railway spokesperson said, according to news agency PTI.
EMU local train services were suspended from 4.45 pm owing to the collapse of a portion of the bridge, the official said quoted by PTI.
However, train services in the Sealdah-Budge Budge section, which also passes under the bridge, was not affected, he said.
State government, Chief Minister responsible for Majerhat bridge collapse: Mukul Roy
State Govt&CM is responsible for this bridge collapse.They are saying beautification of city is on,but repair work of old constructions is not on her mind. State govt should take complete responsibility of this collapse, according to news agency ANI
6 people have been admitted to hospital, says West Bengal minister Firhad Wakim
Six people have been admitted to hospital: Firhad Hakim, West Bengal Minister on Majerhat bridge collapse, according to news agency ANI
All those trapped have been rescued, says West Bengal minister Firhad Hakim on Majerhat bridge collapse
West Bengal minister Firhad Hakim says no casualties as of now
It was a 40-year-old bridge. As of now there has been no casualty, but search operations are underway, let us wait: Firhad Hakim, West Bengal Minister on Majerhat bridge collapse, according to news agency ANI.
A part of the Majherhat bridge between Taratala and Mominpur collapsed around 4.30 p.m., a fire official said. Many people were feared trapped under the collapsed bridge, according to news agency IANS.
Bridge Collapses In South Kolkata's Majerhat, Many Feared TrappedA bridge collapsed in Majerhat in south Kolkata and a large section crashed, leaving many cars trapped. The bridge stood over some rail tracks in Alipur, one of the very old areas of the city. The area is surrounded by half-constructed buildings, scaffolding and pillars. The army, which has its base in the nearby Fort William, has already sent its personnel for rescue work in the area.
Watch: Kolkata Bridge Collapses, Rescue Teams On Spot
A section of a bridge in posh south Kolkata came crashing down this afternoon, triggering shock and panic across the city. Many people are feared trapped underneath, some still in their vehicles. Six people are believed to be injured. Locals who rushed to the spot said one man died while they were trying to rescue him.
Mamata Banerjee says priority now "is relief and rescue"
Majerhat Bridge Collapse in South Kolkata, West Bengal
Majerhat Bridge Collapse in South Kolkata, West Bengal
Majerhat Bridge Collapse in South Kolkata, West Bengal
Traffic Update from DCP Traffic Kolkata over Majerhat Bridge Collapse in south Kolkata
Army has not been called in, however an army field hospital detachent has been sent: Indian Army
Army has not been called in but since the area is very close, Army field hospital detachment has been sent: Indian Army on part of Majerhat bridge collapses in south Kolkata, according to news agency ANI
Mamata Banerjee comments on the Majerhat bridge collapse in south Kolkata
A portion of the arterial Majerhat bridge in the southern part of the metropolis collapsed Tuesday and some casualties are feared, police said, according to a PTI report.
The bridge collapsed in Alipore area also crushing some vehicles, they said.
Fire brigade, police and NDRF personnel are engaged in rescue, according to PTI.
Derek O'Brien tweets on Majerhat bridge collapse in Kolkata
A bridge collapsed in Majerhat in south Kolkata and a large section of it crashed, leaving many cars trapped. The flyover collapsed in the middle, according to witnesses.
Six people are believed to be injured and many are feared trapped.
The bridge, which is among the busiest in the city, collapsed over rail tracks in the Alipore area. Rescue operations are on.
The area is surrounded by half-constructed buildings, scaffolding and pillars.