At Least 10 Dead Several Trapped As Kolkata Flyover Collapse

From : B.Maharana

31 March, Kolkata

At least ten dead and several people trapped under the debris as a part of a flyover under construction here collapsed on Thursday.

A portion of the 2.2 kms Vivekananda Road Flyover crashed in Girish Park of the congested Barabazar area in North Kolkata. Several vehicles,Buses, trucks, cars and rikshaws were trapped under the debris. Toll could increase, police said…

Disaster management and trauma care teams including two NDRF teams consisting of 70 members reached the spot to rescue those trapped. Locals were also helping in the rescue operations. Army called in to undertake the rescue operation.

Political blame game has started over the fly-over crash.Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rushed back to Kolkata cancelling election meetings.

The construction work of the road fly-over project, being started since 2009, missed nine dead-lines. The estimated cost of the fly-over project is Rs.164 crore. The project was to be completed by 2010 as per the original deadline.

The foundation of the project connecting Howrrah and Central kolkata was laid in 2007.