Gujarat Government Played No Role In Bridge Repair: Ex-Deputy Chief Minister

Former Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel has denied any role of the Gujarat government in the renovation of the bridge, adding that the repair was undertaken by the Morbi administration. 

"Renovation and opening of the bridge were done by Morbi administration. Gujarat government didn't have any role in it, direct or indirect. The old bridge was small and made for private use, but was opened to the public for tourism," said former Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel.

Mr Patel said that the work of renovation was given to the Oreva by the Morbi municipality. "Oreva is an old company for repairing watches but only Morbi municipality knows on the basis of which qualification, it handed over the work of bridge renovation," he added.

Mr Patel also assured that appropriate action would be taken by the state government. "It might take some time since a thorough investigation will be required, but the state government would take action once it receives the report. Nine people responsible for the collapse of the Morbi bridge have been arrested, and actions will be taken against them," he said.

The former deputy chief minister also condoled the death of 134 people in the tragic bridge collapse.

On Monday, nine persons, including officials of Oreva, the company that renovated the bridge, ticket sellers and security men, were arrested for the Morbi bridge collapse in Gujarat.

"An FIR has been registered against the maintenance and management agencies of the bridge, under Sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), and 114 (abettor present when offence is committed) of the India Penal Code," said Morbi B Division Police Inspector, Prakashbhai Dekavadiya.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)