Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Morbi today. He is also expected to go to the civil hospital where the injured victims had undergone treatments.
Following the tragic incident of Morbi bridge, the authorities in Gujarat are taking extra caution to avoid any fatal repetition. In a significant move, the Ahmedabad civic body has decided to restrict the number of persons on the pedestrian-only Atal Bridge on the Sabarmati River here to 3,000 per hour, reports PTI.
The 300-metre long and 14-metre-wide Atal Bridge, which connects the flower garden on the western-end of the riverfront and the upcoming arts and culture centre on the eastern-end, has become a huge attraction for people since it was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 27.
“Though the bridge is capable of bearing the weight of nearly 12,000 people, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has decided to limit the number of visitors on it in view of the Morbi bridge tragedy,” the civic-run Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Ltd, which manages the structure, said in a statement on Monday.
“As a precaution, we have decided to limit the number of visitors on the Atal Bridge. Now, only 3,000 visitors will be given entry every hour. Not more than 3,000 people per hour will be allowed to stand on the bridge, and the rest will be asked to wait on the Riverfront for their turn,” the statement added.
The Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Limited has however confirmed that the bridge is strong and capable but keeping the latest unfortunate in mind it has asked for cooperation from the people.
The bridge, with an eye-catching design and LED lighting, has been built using 2,600 tons of steel pipes. Its roof is made of colourful fabric and the railing has been built with glass and stainless steel.
The caution came after the Morbi bridge over Macchu river got collapsed on Sunday evening allegedly due to overcrowding and gross negligence from the private trust responsible to maintain and renovate the bridge. The people gathered on the suspended bridge to perform a ritual for Chhath puja.
The Prime Minister who is in a three days’ Gujarat trip ahead of the assembly polls and celebrated National Unity Day at Kevadia is about to visit Morbi today. He is also expected to visit Morbi civil hospital where the injured people underwent treatment.
PM Modi yesterday also chaired a meeting of high-power committee to enquire about the progress of the rescue operation.
The Supreme Court meanwhile today listed the case of Morbi Bridge collapse for hearing on November 14.
The SC will hear the request of judicial enquiry into the fatal incident that already took away 135 lives. The search operations have been resumed again.
(WIth PTI Inputs)