18 Dead in Varanasi Bridge Collapse: Modi Announces Compensation

18 Dead in Varanasi Bridge Collapse: Modi Announces Compensation
At least 18 people were killed and several trapped under the rubble after a portion of an under-construction flyover collapsed in Varanasi.

At least 18 people were killed and scores more trapped under debris, after a portion of an under-construction flyover in Varanasi's cantonment area collapsed on Tuesday, 15 May.

PM Modi announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of each person killed in the Varanasi flyover collapse. He also announced Rs 50,000 each to those seriously injured in the incident, an official statement said.

UP CM Adityanath formed a committee to look into the matter and has asked authorities to submit a report within 48 hours. He also met the victims receiving treatment at Banaras Hindu University Trauma Centre and Kabir Chaura Hospital.

  • An FIR was filed against the concerned officials under relevant sections of the IPC
  • PM Modi also announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh, from the Centre, to the kin of each person killed in the flyover collapse
  • Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of the deceased
  • Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya visits the site of the mishap, says culprits won't be spared

Bridge Corporation MD Replaced

UP State Bridge Corporation Managing Director (MD) Rajan Mittal was relieved from his post in the wake of the flyover collapse, Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya told ANI. JK Srivastava has been appointed as the new MD.

PM Modi Announces Compensation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ex-gratia relief, from PM Relief Fund, of Rs 2 lakh each to the kin of those who lost their lives and Rs 50,000 each to those who were seriously injured in the flyover collapse, reported ANI.

Samajwadi Party Demands High-Level Investigation

Samajwadi Party (SP) workers protested at the site of the flyover collapse, demanding a high-level investigation into the matter, reported ANI.

AAP's Sanjay Singh to Visit Varanasi

AAP MP Sanjay Singh will visit Varanasi on Thursday, 17 May to meet the victims of the flyover collapse.

FIR Lodged against Officials

An FIR has been registered against the concerned officials and contractors under sections 304, 308 and 427 of the IPC, reported ANI.

UP State Bridge Corporation Ignored Safety Measures: Reports

The UP State Bridge Corporation carried out construction work of the flyover without taking safety measures and ignoring heavy traffic in the area, reported CNN-News18. Local officials, planners and contractors have been blamed for the mishap according to the FIR accessed by CNN-News18.

Forensics Team's Investigations Underway

A forensics team conducted investigation at the spot of the flyover accident, ANI reported.

Recent Thunderstorm Likely The Reason Behind Collapse: Bridge Corporation MD

The recent thunderstorm in the region could be one of the reasons for the collapse of the under-construction flyover, R Mittal, MD, Bridge Corporation told ANI.

"We think the lock of the bearing underneath the beam broke due to recent thunderstorms in the region that led to accident. Traffic should've been diverted away from construction site.We should learn from this incident,” said Mittal.

He further said that all such accident-prone construction sites will be identified by five to six teams and steps will be taken to divert traffic away from such locations.

Police Arrest Sweeper who Asked for Bribe

The police arrested a man for allegedly demanding bribes from the families of two victims to hand over their bodies.

We came to know through media that a sweeper had taken Rs. 200 from some people. We have registered an FIR and arrested him.
RK Bhardwaj, SSP Varanasi 

Raj Babbar Meets Victims

UP Congress chief Raj Babbar met the victims of Varanasi flyover collapse. "I have been informed that in order to complete the flyover before elections, 3 Vinayak Temples were demolished. People here believe that the incident is a consequence of the curse of demolishing temples," he said.

Workers at Postmortem Centre Ask for Bribe

Workers at the postmortem centre in Benaras Hindu University are allegedly asking the families of victims for a bribe to get the autopsy done, The Quint has learnt. One of the workers reportedly left a dead body on the floor when the victim's family refused to pay him any money. The district Magistrate acted swiftly, and the concerned worker was suspended. A case has been registered against him.

Can't Comment Before Proper Investigation: Varanasi District Magistrate

We are waiting for the investigation to conclude. I don't want to comment on anything right now. The compensation will be given to victims soon. The current death toll is 15, and 11 people sustained injuries.   
Yogeshwar Mishra, Varanasi District Magistrate

Damaged Vehicles Removed from Spot

Damaged vehicles have been removed from the spot where the under-construction flyover collapsed in Varanasi.

15 Dead, 11 Critically Injured in Collapse: CM Yogi Adityanath

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, 15 May, Adityanath said the death toll was 15 according to reports he had received from the administration and the NDRF. Eleven more are critically injured and have been admitted to various hospitals, where they are being treated, he added.

Adityanath also said that he has asked Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and minister Neelkanth Tiwari to personally monitor the relief work.

Yogi Visit Victims

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met victims of the flyover collapse being treated at the Banaras Hindu University Trauma Centre and Kabir Chaura Hospital on Tuesday, 15 May.

Victims Being Treated at Kabir Chaura Hospital

Officers Suspended

Chief project manager HC Tiwari, project manager KR Sudan, assistant engineer Rajesh Singh and engineer Lal Chand have been held responsible for the flyover collapse, and have been suspended with immediate effect, Deputy Chief Minister KP Maurya told ANI.

3-Member Committee Formed to Probe Incident

Seven teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) continued rescue and relief operations after the under-construction flyover collapsed in Varanasi on Tuesday, 15 May. A three-member high-level committee has also been set up to investigate the incident.

Yogi en Route to Meet Victims

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is on his way to meet the victims of the under-construction flyover collapse, reported ANI.

Reason For Collapse Uncertain: Project Manager

KR Sudan, project manager of the under-construction flyover in Varanasi, told ANI that the reason behind the incident can be ascertained only after the investigation is complete.

“I cannot tell the reason for this incident till the investigation is done. Cranes are still coming, rescue operations are still underway,” said Sudan.

Seven NDRF Teams Deployed to the Spot

Seven NDRF teams have been deployed for the rescue operations at the collapse site, Arvind Kumar, Principal Secretary (Home), told ANI. Six others are injured and currently under treatment. All trapped vehicles have been taken out, Kumar said.

Culprits Will Not Be Spared: Keshav Prasad Maurya

UP Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya visited the collapse site and assured that the ones responsible for the mishap will be dealt with strictly.

“This is a very unfortunate incident and I'm deeply saddened by it. I'm going to meet the injured in the hospital. Culprits will not be spared. Will setup a committee to look into the matter,” ANI quoted Maurya as saying.

Probe Is in Preliminary Stage: ADG

Chandra Prakash, ADG crime, UP, while addressing the media said that all necessary steps were being taken for speedy relief and rescue operations and that the probe in the matter is still at a preliminary stage.

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