New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary today. Speaking at the event Shah said that even during the time of independence, some forces tried to keep India divided, but Sardar Patel foiled their designs.
He also said that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel realised the dream of a strong and united India. In next 25 years, India will fulfil freedom fighters' dreams of being a strong & prosperous country, he added.
During the event Shah also expressed grief over the loss of lives after the pedestrian suspension Morbi bridge collapsed on the Machchu river and over 130 people were killed, as reported by the news agency ANI. "Several people lost their lives in yesterday's incident in Gujarat. First of all, I express condolences to the families of all those who died in the unfortunate incident. May all those who died, rest in peace," ANI quoted Shah as saying.
Shah's remarks came as he attended an event in Delhi in tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary today. The event also saw the presence of President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Delhi Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, and Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi paid.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to Sardar Patel at the Statue Of Unity in Gujarat’s Kevadia. The death toll in the newly renovated suspension bridge collapse incident increased to 132, Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi said today, as reported by ANI. Sanghavi further said that a criminal case had been registered in connection with the incident.
"An investigation has begun today under the leadership of Range IGP," Sanghavi said. Everyone worked all through the night. The Navy, NDRF (National Disaster Relief Force), Air Force, and Army arrived at the spot quickly. More than 200 persons have worked the entire night for search and rescue operations," ANI quoted Sanghavi as saying.
A search operation was carried out by teams including Army, Navy, Air Force, NDRF, and Fire Brigade throughout the night to find the Garkaw victims in Macchu river after the bridge collapsed, ANI reported citing officials.
After the incident, Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, Minister of State for Home Affairs Harshbhai Sanghvi, Minister Brijeshbhai Merja, and Minister of State Shri Arvindbhai Raiyani reached the incident spot at midnight and personally observed the rescue operation and gave directions.
According to the district administration, after the mishap, the system was immediately activated and rescue operations started with the help of locals. Besides this, teams from other places also started arriving at the spot. Around 40 doctors from various health centers, Rajkot PDU Hospital, and Surendranagar Civil Hospital started emergency treatment of the injured at the Morbi Civil Hospital.
After the collapse of the bridge, the Rajkot Municipal Corporation boat and rescue materials including life jackets reached Morbi and started the rescue operation. Emergency ambulances from Rajkot, Jamnagar, Junagadh Metropolitan Municipality, and Morbi Municipality were running throughout the night to bring the injured to the hospital.
Several private ambulances were also involved in the rescue operation. Army team from Surendranagar joined with its three ambulances and equipment, informed the officials, as reported by ANI.
(With agencies' Inputs)