10/20/2019 Kolkata Majerhat Bridge collapses: Kolkata's Majerhat Bridge collapses, many people are feared trapped after

trapped after heavy rainfall - The …

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Kolkata's Majerhat Bridge collapses, one dead, many feared

trapped
BY ET ONLINE | UPDATED: SEP 04, 2018, 07.44 PM IST Post a Comment

A portion of the arterial Majerhat bridge in south Kolkata collapsed Tuesday evening,
snuffing out one life, trapping several people and crushing many vehicles, police said. RELATED VIDEO

The 40-year-old bridge in the crowded Alipore area caved in around 4.45 pm during rush
hour over rail tracks. It runs over the Majerhat Railway Station and connects the city
centre to Behala and other southern suburbs.

At least 20-25 injured people have been rescued by fire officials while many more are
feared trapped under the rubble, officials said.

"A part of the Majherhat bridge between Taratala and Mominpur partially collapsed around
4.30 p.m. Six fire tenders have been pressed into service," a fire official said. Kolkata bridge collapses: Several vehicles and
people feared trapped

"At least 20-25 people have been rescued from the spot. It is possible that not a lot of
people got trapped under the collapsed part of the bridge. But we need to remove the RELATED COMPANIES
EXPAND

debris to find out what is underneath," another official working on the accident spot said.
Rain

The injured have been admitted to SSKM and CMRI hospitals, the police said.
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State minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said she has heard about the death of five
persons but it is yet to be confirmed.

NDRF DG Sanjay Kumar said earthmovers are being used.

"We have to take into account the safety aspect while clearing the debris", he said.

Another minister Firhad Hakim said efforts are being made to find out any trapped person under the debris.

After the rescue work is over "we will undertake technical inquiry", he said.

#SpotVisuals: Majerhat bridge in South Kolkata has collapsed. More details awaited. #WestBengal https://t.co/FsZGeImE4o
— ANI (@ANI) 1536061108000

The bridge, which is among the busiest in the city, collapsed over rail tracks in the Alipore area. The bridge connects Behala to other
parts of Kolkata across the arterial Sealdah railway line.

Maintaining that the suspension was a "precautionary measure", railways said the collapse has not resulted in any injury to any rail
passenger or employee.

The 30711 Baygunge-Duttapukur local via circular railway has been stopped between New Alipore and Majerhat, the ministry said.

West Bengal has been reeling under heavy rains. More than 100 people have died so far in the rain-related incidents this year.

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10/20/2019 Kolkata Majerhat Bridge collapses: Kolkata's Majerhat Bridge collapses, many people are feared trapped after heavy rainfall - The …

Transport services connecting the vast areas in the south-western part of the city and South 24 Parganas district were severely affected.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the incident as "deeply unfortunate" and hoped for the speedy recovery of the injured.

The collapse of a part of a bridge in Kolkata is deeply unfortunate. My thoughts are with the families of the victi… https://t.co/OFkHhwiLc5
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 1536067240000

TMC leader Derek O'Brien tweeted, "Watching scenes of Majerhat bridge #Kolkata collapse . Devastating. Rescue teams, disaster
management teams, Police CP,fire fighters already reach spot. Locals join. Rescue operations on.Prayers for those affected. Difficult to
gauge enormity of tragedy as yet looking at visuals."

Watching scenes of Majerhat bridge #Kolkata collapse . Devastating. Rescue teams, disaster management teams, Police…
https://t.co/DTnJSGCZt2
— Derek O'Brien (@derekobrienmp) 1536061723000

A Kolkata Traffic Police officer said traffic movement through Diamond Harbour Road in Taratala area has been suspended following the
incident.

Traffic from various parts of South 24 Parganas and Behala area in the city were being diverted from Diamond Park area, the officer

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10/20/2019 Kolkata Majerhat Bridge collapses: Kolkata's Majerhat Bridge collapses, many people are feared trapped after heavy rainfall - The …

said.

Traffic update:- Alipore Road is closed to traffic from Judges Court Road.
— DCP Traffic Kolkata (@KPTrafficDept) 1536061114000

Movement of traffic towards south-west Kolkata and South 24 Parganas were being diverted from Kidderpore and through Port area and
Circular Garden Reach Road, he said.

Train services in Circular Railway and Sealdah-Budge Budge line have been suspended as precautionary measure, Eastern Railway
spokesman R N Mahapatra said.

The collapse of a portion of the bridge over railway tracks occurred in the adjacent areas of Circular Railway line at Majherhat, leading to
a signal post on the track being damaged by the debris, Mahapatra said.

Train movement through Majherhat had been suspended temporarily as a precautionary measure, he said.

Train services on Budge BudgeSealdah line may be restored after ensuring the safety in train running, he said.

Thousands of people travelling in the peak evening hours were inconvenienced owing to the incident.

Traffic update:- DH Road towards Taratala is closed to traffic from Diamond Park and Sakher Bazar. Necessary diversions are on.
— DCP Traffic Kolkata (@KPTrafficDept) 1536063186000

(With agency inputs)

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