Gujarat: Nine Arrested, Including Two Managers Of Firm That Repaired Morbi Bridge

Gujarat Bridge Collapse: Clocks and e-bike maker Oreva Group was given the contract for the renovation and operation of the bridge.

People at the site after the collapse of a suspension bridge over the Machchhu river, in Morbi district

A day after 134 people died due to a bridge collapse in Gujarat's Morbi district, nine people were arrested in connection with the incident, inlcuding officials of Oreva, the company that renovated the structure, on Monday. Among those arrested include two managers, two repair contractors, three security guards and two ticket sellers, sourcs told ABP News.

An FIR has been registered on charges of culpable homicide against agencies given the task of maintenance and operation of the bridge.

"We arrested nine people after filing FIR under various sections of IPC. The arrested include the managers of Oreva company and ticket clerks," Ashok Yadav, IG, Rajkot range, said in a press conference.

Clocks and e-bike maker Oreva Group was given the contract for the renovation and operation of the bridge.

In its FIR, police said the incident took place because of the "callous approach" of the agency staff.

READ | Gujarat: Bridge Would Last For 8-10 Years, Could Sustain Weight Of 125 People, Firm Had Said

The FIR further stated that persons concerned or agencies did not pay attention to the quality of maintenance as well as repair work of the bridge.

It further stated that the bridge was opened for tourists by the agency despite knowing that their "callous approach" in the maintenance and management of the bridge may lead to human deaths.

The more than a century-old bridge on the Machchhu river, which had reopened five days back after seven months of repair work by Oreva, was crammed with atelast 400 when it collapsed on Sunday evening. The bridge had the capacity to take the weight of only about 125 people.

The company did not take a fitness certificate from the Morbi district civic authorities and was opened to the public ahead of schedule.

The company had claimed the repairs on the bridge would hold up for at least another eight to ten years. It also claimed that "100 per cent" renovation of the bridge was done in just Rs 2 crore.

The hanging bridge was originally built in 1887 by the erstwhile Morbi ruler Vaghji Thakor.