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New Delhi Television reports [ndtv.com]

Several officials of the UP Bridge Corporation have been booked for the collapse of an under construction flyover in [the city of] Varanasi [wikimedia.org] on [May 15], that killed 15 people and injured 11.

A First Investigation Report (FIR) filed [May 17], does not name anyone but lists officials in supervisory positions and contractors to whom jobs were outsourced. The cases have been filed under sections of negligence and culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

An investigation ordered by the Uttar Pradesh government into the flyover collapse is underway. Sources in the state government have told NDTV that initial probe findings point at huge negligence.

The flyovercollapsed [ndtv.com] primarily because two beams holding up the concrete slabs buckled, say sources. When beams are fitted between pillars, they are first held together by a temporary arrangement and then cast with the adjoining beams on the next pillar. In this case, say sources, the beams were not cast and [were instead] left loose.

About 200 metres away from where the beams tilted, a large crane was being used. The crane apparently hit another beam, which created a ripple effect and the two loose beams tilted, the sources said. The huge concrete slabs resting on the beams came crashing down on vehicles on the road.

The state government has suspended two project managers and two engineers who were overseeing the constructions.

The article mentions that this is one of several bridges that have come under scrutiny for structural flaws.

The Hindustan Times adds [hindustantimes.com]

Prof Vrind Kumar of civil engineering department at IIT-BHU said the collapse of two beams from the under-construction flyover was a systemic failure.

"It is a case of systemic failure and it will not be prudent to label the incident as just a technical failure," said Prof Kumar.

"Security measures were compromised in a bid to complete the project on time due to political compulsions". he added while holding the district administration equally responsible for the mishap.

Prof Ramji Agarwal, emeritus professor at the department of civil engineering, IIT-BHU, said: [...] "Standard safety measures should be strictly followed in big constructions. While the construction is in progress, traffic should be diverted to other routes. The area along the construction site, which may be affected in case a beam falls, should be cordoned off after proper assessment", he suggested.

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