‘Load-bearing estimate error led to crash’
Preliminary investigations into the crash of a foot overbridge outside the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday, which led to huge outcry against the Commonwealth Games organisers and Delhi government, has revealed that the contractor and civic agencies involved in the construction had committed “serious lapses” by overestimating the holding capacity of the main frame of the bridge, which crashed, injuring 27 labourers.
The investigations, which are being conducted by the crime branch of Delhi police, have suggested that the contractor may have ignored the requirements needed for supporting arch-designed bridge as the heavy cables, which held the bridge to giant steel arch structure, didn’t snap.
“The cables have come out of their bolts instead of snapping, which suggests that there was a serious lapse in estimating the holding capacity of the steel grid, which weighs more than 80 tonnes,” a top police source said.
Following orders from a city court, the crime branch of Delhi police took up the investigations on Thursday and a team, accompanied by additional commissioner of police (crime), Neeraj Thakur, visited the site.
When asked what the police probe has revealed, Mr Thakur said, “We are conducting the investigations and a report will be submitted soon.”
Crime branch sources said that the samples earlier collected by south district police, which was initially investigating the mishap, have been sent for forensic examination.
“A packet of samples, which include pieces of concrete material used at the site, bits of steel structure obtained from the collapsed structure and cables, etc. have been sent for forensic examination. The report is expected soon,” a source said.
The police is also likely to question the site engineers and contractors involved in the construction once the forensic reports come.
The bridge was being constructed by Chandigarh-based PNR Infrastructure, which has been blacklisted by Delhi government after the mishap.
“Once we finish the investigations, we will submit the findings to the court,” Delhi police spokesperson, Rajan Bhagat said.
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