Hemant orders probe into bridge collapse during Yaas

Ranchi: Chief minister Hemant Soren on Friday ordered an inquiry into Thursday’s collapse of a bridge, which was newly constructed over Kanchi river in Sonahatu block of Ranchi district and awaiting inauguration, during Cyclone Yaas.
The inquiry came in the wake of charges from residents and political parties that the bridge was constructed using substandard materials after syphoning off funds.
In a tweet, Soren said, “I have ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident. I will not tolerate corruption and loot of public money during my tenure.”
Portions of the Haradih-Budhadih bridge caved in after a pillar collapsed breaking it in the middle following the incessant rains on Thursday. Thousands of rural residents are affected by the collapse as now they have to take a detour and travel for around 30 to 40 kilometres to reach the nearby block headquarters, including Bundu, Tamar and Sonahatu.
Soon after the collapse, several political parties demanded an inquiry. State Congress working president Keshav Mahto Kamlesh wrote a letter to rural development minister Alamgir Alam demanding a high-level inquiry into the incident. He said the guilty contractors must be blacklisted and pointed out that the bridge is the main connector to Mahamayi Mandir, an ancient worshipping place. It also linked a large section of the population to West Bengal through Saraikela Kharsawan, Kamlesh added.
The CPI(M) also sent a mail to the chief minister demanding a similar inquiry into the bridge collapse. It stated that the bridge was completed merely three years ago and had no approach road.
Alleging that inferior materials were used in the construction work, CPI(M) leader Sufal Mahto demanded action against the contractors and the officials concerned. He pointed out that the bridge was constructed at a cost of several crores of rupees of public money.
Mahto stressed that hundreds of villages have been cut off from their nearest urban localities and said it is difficult for them to cross the Kanchi river by boat during the monsoon.
Some residents pointed out that illegal sand mining is rampant near the bridge and could have affected the structural stability of the bridge.