Rescue workers attempt to rescue a person trapped in a car after Vivekananda flyover collapsed, in Burrabazar Kolkata, taken from video. (Reuters Photo)
Terming the
collapse of an under construction flyover in Kolkata as a "disaster", the Centre today assured the West Bengal government all help in rescuing trapped people from the debris and said a report from the state will give a clear picture on how the tragedy had happened.
Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said two team of NDRF,
comprising around 90 personnel, have already been engaged in the rescue operations at the spot while three more teams, comprising around 135 personnel, were on their way.
"It is a disaster. It has to be responded as a disaster. We are ready to provide additional forces if necessary," he told reporters in New Delhi.
Mr Rijiju said a report has been sought from the West Bengal government on the incident and that will give a clear picture on how it had happened.
"Report will automatically be generated. It will tell us what actually had happened," he said.
The Minister said the tragedy had
taken place at a very crowded place and it could have been avoided by taking adequate precautionary measures.
"Safety measures must be taken. There are prescribed norms for safety in construction sites. It is a matter of investigation whether safety measures were taken or not," he said.
Mr Rijiju, however, refused to hazard a guess on whether the incident was a sabotage.
"I don't want to speculate on anything," he said. He said currently the priority of the rescue teams is to clear the debris and save as many people as they can.
The Minister said all injured are being provided treatment by the state government.
Mr Rijiju said after the rescue operations are over, adequate compensation would be given to the victims. At least eight persons were killed when a portion of an under-construction flyover collapsed today in busy north Kolkata, leaving scores of others trapped under the debris.