Page 19 - Gujarat

Putin expresses condolences to families of Morbi bridge collapse victims

Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended his condolences to the families of the people who lost their lives in a bridge collapse in Gujarat's Morbi city. The more than a century-old bridge, which had reopened five days back after extensive repairs and renovation, was crammed with people when it collapsed on Sunday evening. Over 130 people have died so far in the accident. In a message to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi which was published on the Kremlin website on Monday, Putin said, Dear Ms President, dear Mr Prime Minister, please accept my heartfelt condolences over the tragic bridge collapse in the state of Gujarat. Putin also conveyed his words of sympathy and support to the families and friends of the victims, and wished all those injured a speedy recovery, state-owned TASS news agency reported. Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each of the deceased and Rs .

Congress demands judicial inquiry, financial aid in Morbi bridge collapse

The Congress on Monday demanded a judicial inquiry into the Morbi suspension bridge collapse in Gujarat, alleging that prima facie it seems to be a case of "criminal negligence" and "gross misgovernance". The Opposition party also sought financial and medical assistance from the government to all those affected. At least 134 people have died in the bridge collapse. The more than a century-old bridge on the Machchhu river, which had reopened five days back after extensive repairs and renovation, was crammed with people when it collapsed on Sunday evening. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge paid homage to those killed in the tragedy, and said that may God give the strength to the families who have lost their loved ones to bear the loss. Speaking with reporters here, he said the reasons for the collapse of the bridge that reopened five days ago, ought to be known. "Why were so many people allowed. There should be an inquiry headed by a retired Supreme Court or High Court judge," .

Gujarat bridge collapse: PM Modi to visit Morbi on November 1, announces CM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday will visit Gujarat's Morbi where at least 134 people were killed when a suspension bridge collapsed into the Machchhu river. The Gujarat Chief Minister's Office announced that Modi would visit Morbi on Tuesday afternoon. Rescue operations were in full swing at Morbi, around 300 km from Gujarat capital Gandhinagar, with teams of the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Indian Air Force, Army and Navy joining local personnel in the effort. Modi, who is on a visit to Gujarat, paid tributes to those who died in Sunday's bridge collapse. "I am in Kevadia, but my heart goes out to those who died in the Morbi bridge collapse tragedy," the prime minister said as he got emotional. Troupes from across the country had come to Kevadia to perform traditional dances, but the programme was cancelled due to the present circumstances, he said.

SL President Wickremesinghe expresses grief over Gujarat bridge collapse

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday expressed grief over a bridge collapse in Gujarat's Morbi city and extended his condolences to the victims and their families. The more than a century-old bridge, which had reopened five days back after extensive repairs and renovation, was crammed with people when it collapsed on Sunday evening. Over 130 people have died so far in the accident. In a message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Wickremesinghe said he is "shocked and saddened" by the tragic bridge collapse incident in Morbi, according to a press release issued by the president's office. "The government and people of Sri Lanka join me in extending deepest condolences to you, the government and people of India especially the families of the citizens who lost their lives. May the injured have a speedy recovery and wish every success in the rescue and recovery operations underway," the president said. Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's .

Gujarat bridge collapse: There will be no laxity in relief ops, says PM

The prime minister said that Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel had reached Morbi last night and has been holding the command of search and rescue ops since yesterday.

Morbi bridge collapse: Congress demands probe by retired SC or HC judge

The Congress on Monday demanded a probe headed by a retired Supreme Court or High Court judge into the Morbi suspension bridge collapse in Gujarat. The Opposition party also sought financial and medical assistance from the government to all those affected. Over 130 people have died in the bridge collapse. The more than a century-old bridge, which had reopened five days back after extensive repairs and renovation, was crammed with people when it collapsed Sunday evening. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge paid homage to those killed in the tragedy, and said that may God give the strength to the families who have lost their loved ones to bear the loss. Speaking with reporters here, he said the reasons for the collapse of the bridge that reopened five days ago, ought to be known. "Why were so many people allowed. There should be an inquiry headed by a retired Supreme Court or High Court judge," Kharge said. The bereaved families and those affected should be provided all assistanc

Morbi bridge collapse toll mounts to 134; rescue operation underway

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi remained in Morbi during the night to oversee the rescue operation being conducted by multiple agencies

Gujarat bridge collapse: Kejriwal's roadshow in Haryana's Adampur cancelled

Aam Aadmi Party leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's roadshow in Haryana's Adampur on Monday for the upcoming bypolls has been cancelled in view of the Morbi bridge collapse in Gujarat, a senior party leader said. Kejriwal was to take out a roadshow in Adampur, a day before the campaigning ends for the November 3 bypolls there. "Arvind ji's roadshow on Monday stands cancelled in view of the Gujarat bridge collapse tragedy," party's Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Gupta, who is party's Haryana affairs incharge, told PTI. The bypolls were necessitated after Kuldeep Bishnoi, the younger son of former chief minister Bhajan Lal, resigned as MLA from the seat and switched sides from the Congress to the BJP in August. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had earlier campaigned in Adampur for AAP on Wednesday. Kejriwal launched the party's nationwide Make India No. 1' campaign from Hisar last month. On Sunday, Gupta went door-to-door in Balsamand village and sought votes for party cand

Morbi bridge collapse: Criminal complaint lodged against contractor, agency

The officer has alleged in the FIR that the repair agency, agency management without carrying quality check or feasibility or load bearing test had opened the bridge for the visitors.

Top headlines: Morbi death toll at 132; India Inc eyes Dubai for investment

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he could foresee that India would soon be manufacturing big passenger aircraft that would proudly bear the words 'Made in India'.

Gujarat bridge collapse: Amit Shah expresses grief over loss of lives

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday expressed his grief over the loss of lives when the pedestrian suspension Morbi bridge collapsed on the Machchu river collapsed and over 130 people were killed

Rahul, others observe 2-minute silence for victims of Morbi bridge tragedy

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other leaders and workers of the party taking part in the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' here observed a two-minute silence in memory of those killed in the Morbi suspension bridge tragedy in Gujarat. They also paid floral tributes to former prime minister Indira Gandhi on her death anniversary and to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary. "Fifty-fourth day of Bharat Jodo Yatra began at Shadnagar at 5.30 AM. Bharat Yatris paid floral tributes to Sardar Patel and Indira Gandhi, and then observed 2 minute silence in memory of those who died in the Morbi suspension bridge tragedy in Gujarat," senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said in a tweet. At least 130 people have died in the Morbi suspension bridge collapse in Gujarat. The more than a century-old bridge, which had reopened five days back after extensive repairs and renovation, was crammed with people when it collapsed Sunday evening. Joined by party leaders and cadre, Rahul Gandhi resumed his f

PM Modi cancels road show, page committee sammelan in wake of Morbi tragedy

Late on Sunday evening, the BJP Gujarat media cell informed that "The Page Committee Sneh Milan program to be held in the virtual presence of Prime Minister Modi has been postponed"

PM Modi dedicates maze garden, houseboat service near 'Statue of Unity'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday dedicated three attractions, including a Maze Garden, in Gujarat's Ekta Nagar near the 182-meter high Statue of Unity. A government release said the PM also inaugurated a 'Miyawaki' forest and a houseboat. On the first day of his three-day Gujarat visit, the PM along with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel reached Ekta Nagar, formerly known as Kevadia, in Narmada district to inaugurate these new attractions, said the release. "The newly added Maze (labyrinth) Garden, spread across three acres with a pathway of 2,100 metres, is the largest maze garden in the country and has been developed in a short span of just eight months. "It has been built in the shape of a 'yantra' that emanates positive energy. Winding through the puzzling roads of this garden will be challenging for the tourists' mind, body and senses," the release said. As many as 1,80,000 saplings have been planted as part of a 'Miyawaki' forest near this Maze Garden, which had b

Morbi bridge collapse: Cong asks its workers to provide help in rescue ops

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said he was deeply saddened by the suspension bridge collapse in Gujarat's Morbi that claimed at least 60 lives and appealed to party workers in the state to extend every possible assistance in rescue work. Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi also said the news of the bridge collapse accident was very saddening, and appealed to all Congress workers to extend all possible help to the injured. At least 60 people were killed after a nearly century-old suspension bridge on the Machchhu river in Gujarat's Morbi city collapsed this evening, officials said. "Deeply saddened by the tragedy that has struck us with the collapse of the suspension bridge in Morbi, Gujarat," Kharge said in a tweet. "I appeal to the @INCGujarat workers to extend every possible assistance in rescue work & helping the wounded. My condolences & prayers are with the bereaved families," he said. In a tweet in Hindi, Gandhi said the news of the bridge accident in ...

Morbi bridge collapse: Act of God or act of fraud, Digvijaya asks PM Modi

Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Sunday asked if the collapse of the suspension bridge on Machchhu river in Gujarat's Morbi district, in which at least 60 persons have died, was an "act of God or an act of fraud". Singh, who issued several tweets on the incident, was playing on the phrase that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had reportedly used at a rally while lampooning the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal after the Vivekananda Road flyover collapsed in Kolkata on March 31, 2016, killing many. "Modi ji, is the Morbi bridge accident an Act of God or Act of Fraud? Singh tweeted while quoting a 2016 news report. He said the bridge was under repair for six months but collapsed five days after it was reopened. In Gujarat, where the Bharatiya Janata Party has been in power for 27 years, the Narmada canal broke during the first day's testing at village Bidra in Kutch district in July this year, while an overbridge in Bhuj, which took 8-9 years to build, had to be repaired

Gujarat cable bridge collapse points to gross negligence of BJP govt: CPI

CPI leader Binoy Viswam has hit out at the BJP over the bridge collapse in Gujarat's Morbi city on Sunday in which at least 32 people were killed, claiming that it points to the "gross negligence" of the state government. The nearly century-old suspension bridge on the Machchhu river collapsed around 6.30 pm owing to too many people on it following its reopening just four days ago after renovation. "Cable bridge collapse in Gujarat points to the gross negligence of the BJP government. Its repair was said to be done five days back. Where from the contractors got this courage? The compensation needs to be increased. A reliable enquiry should take place to unveil political involvement," Viswam tweeted. A private operator had carried out the repair work of the bridge for nearly six months before it was reopened to the public on the Gujarati New Year day celebrated on October 26.

Prez Murmu, PM Modi express grief over deaths in Gujarat bridge collapse

Several top leaders including President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed grief after a bridge collapsed in Gujarat's Morbi city on Sunday claiming at least 60 lives. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi appealed to all party workers in the state to extend every possible assistance in the rescue work. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar prayed for the safe rescue of all. "Distressed to hear about the tragic incident in Morbi, Gujarat. I pray for the safe rescue of all and the speedy recovery of those injured. My thoughts are with the affected families," the Vice President Secretariat said in a tweet quoting Dhankhar. Prime Minister Modi announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of each of those who died in the incident, his office said. Expressing sadness, Modi, in a tweet said he has spoken to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and officials. "Relief and rescue operations are going on in full swing and al

Over 60 dead as recently renovated bridge collapses in Gujarat's Morbi

A nearly century-old suspension bridge on Machchhu river in Gujarat's Morbi city collapsed on Sunday evening due to which several people standing on it fell into the river, officials said. The bridge, which was recently reopened for public after renovation, collapsed as it could not bear the weight of the people standing on it, they said. "Due to the bridge collapse, several people fell into the river. A rescue operation is underway. There are reports that several people have suffered injuries. They are being rushed to hospitals," local MLA and state minister Brijesh Merja said. According to eyewitnesses, there were several women and children on the hanging bridge when it snapped. Further details are awaited.

NDRF team reaching soon: Shah speaks to Gujarat HM after bridge collapse

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) will soon reach the site of a suspension bridge collapse in Gujarat and the administration has promptly carried out rescue and relief work. The nearly century-old suspension bridge collapsed Sunday evening in Gujarat's Morbi and several people standing on it fell into the river, local officials said. I am deeply saddened by the accident in Morbi. I have spoken to Harsh Sanghvi, Minister of State for Home, Gujarat and other officials in this regard. Local administration is engaged in relief work with full readiness, NDRF is also reaching the spot soon. The administration has been directed to provide immediate treatment to the injured, Shah tweeted in Hindi. Officials said the bridge was recently reopened for people after renovation.