9 arrested including officials of firm that renovated bridge in Gujarat after over 140 killed

way2barak, Oct.31: Nine people, including officials of Oreva Group which renovated the Morbi bridge, have been arrested after over 140 people were killed due to the bridge’s collapse. Among the nine people arrested there are two managers of Oreva company, two ticket clerks along with two contractors and three security guards for negligence. This was informed by Ashok Yadav, IG, Rajkot range.

An FIR was registered on charges of culpable homicide against agencies who were given the task of maintenance and operation of the bridge. Morbi Municipality’s chief officer Sandeepsinh Zala said the city-based Oreva Group was given the contract for the renovation and operation of the bridge. Oreva had signed a 15-year deal to maintain the bridge but outsourced the work.

Here is the authentic CCTV footage of the Morbi bridge collapse: NOT the old videos that are being made viral to blame the public. Yes, bridge is crowded but to blame crowds would be to shun responsibility for multiple level failures of those involved in ensuring safety. pic.twitter.com/6wVA0xddXl

— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) October 31, 2022

The firm had claimed on October 26 that it had roped in experts for the repair work, adding that the material used was built as per specifications by “specialised firms”. After the completion of the renovation, the hanging bridge, originally built in 1887 by the erstwhile Morbi ruler Vaghji Thakor, was thrown open for the public on October 26 by Oreva Group’s Jaysukh Patel and his family in the presence of the media.

Oreva Group, which specialises in the manufacture of CFL bulbs, wall clocks, and e-bikes, was awarded the 15-year contract for the operation and maintenance of the Morbi bridge that collapsed in Gujarat. The company manufactures wall clocks under the popular Ajanta and Orpat brands. Notably, the company’s website has no mention of its construction business.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday chaired a high-level meeting to review the situation in Morbi, at Gujarat Raj Bhavan in Gandhinagar. Modi, who is on a three-day tour to election-bound Gujarat, will be visiting Morbi on Tuesday, in the wake of the bridge collapse over Machchhu river.