6 labourers die as bridge falls near Srinagar

Dehradun, March 25

In a bizarre incident, 6 labourers died and 18 others were injured when an under-construction bridge caved in at Chauras near Srinagar falling in Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand early morning today.

The incident happened around 4 am. The labourers were taken by surprise by sudden caving-in of the under-construction Chauras brige on the Alaknanda river resulting in the immediate death of six labourers. The other 18 injured were rushed to base hospital, Srinagar. One of the seriously injured was later airlifted to Combined Medical Institute Hospital, Dehradun, on the orders of the Chief Minister.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, who himself visited the site of mishap along with Union Minister of State for Agriculture, Food Processing and Parliamentary Affairs Harish Rawat has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. He has also directed for speedy relief operations.

The Chief Minister has also announced an ex gratia of Rs 1 lakh for the family of the deceased from his discretionary fund. He also announced Rs 50,000 for seriously injured and Rs 25,000 for others injured in the mishap. Bahuguna also directed for strict action against those responsible for the incident. The Chief Minister has also ordered for a review of the quality of construction of the bridges in the state.

According to District Magistrate, Pauri, MC Upreti, relief works have been started on a war footing and adequate medical assistance is being provided to the injured. He said the reasons behind the mishap were still to be ascertained. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Governor Margaret Alva has expressed deep shock and grief at the loss of lives in the Chauras Bridge mishap incident. The Governor has prayed for the peace of the departed souls and also for the speedy recovery of those injured in the accident.

Garhwal MP Satpal Maharaj had described the Chauras bridge mishap incident as the most unfortunate.

Expressing his condolences to the bereaved family members of the deceased, Maharaj has sought immediate relief to the affected. Harish Rawat, Uttarakhand Cabinet Ministers Indira Hridyesh and Mantri Prasad Naithani have also expressed grief over the incident.