High Power Committee holds first meeting, discusses possible causes of collapse

Kolkata: The issue of "heavy vibration due to Metro construction work being the cause

behind the caving in" of Majerhat Bridge has cropped up in the first meeting of the High Power Committee that has been formed to ascertain the exact reason behind the incident.

The first meeting of the committee headed by Chief Secretary Malay De that started at around 5 pm on Friday, continued for around two long hours.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had announced the setting up of the committee in a Press conference on Thursday, after a meeting in connection with the collapse of Majerhat Bridge. At the same time, the Chief Minister had maintained that all probable reasons behind the collapse will be looked into by the committee and "nobody will be spared if any negligence in their part is found." According to the sources at the state secretariat, various aspects of the collapse, including the Metro construction work, were discussed in the meeting and at the same time, stress was given on the need to assess the condition of other bridges adjacent to which Metro work is in progress.

It may be recalled that the Chief Minister had also pointed out the need of the assessment during the Press conference on Thursday. Sources said that there were detailed discussions with senior police officers, who are members of the committee, in connection with the necessary vigilance that is required in this connection.

It has been learnt that besides discussing issues to ascertain the exact reason behind the caving in of Majerhat Bridge, the High Power Committee had an elaborate talk on the health of all the bridges across the state, in its first meeting on Friday.

It may be mentioned that a detailed report on the health of bridges across the state was compiled following the Majerhat incident. Engineers of the state Public Works Department (PWD) posted in each division had submitted their respective reports on Thursday.

At the same time, other bodies including Kolkata Municipal Development Authority (KMDA) and the state Irrigation department had also prepared their report. Sources said that engineers in the districts have mentioned minute details of each and every bridge in their jurisdiction. "Even if a minor crack was noticed, it was mentioned in the report," said an official.

It may be mentioned that engineers of the state PWD were also found referring to the set "guidelines for strengthening of bridges" and it would be followed while carrying out the same.

Director General of Police Virendra has held a meeting with commissioners of all the police commissionerates around the city in connection with plying of very heavy vehicles and directions were given to take necessary steps in this connection.