The British firm which had supplied crucial parts for the ill-fated foot over bridge near the JLN Stadium, which had collapsed just days before the Commonwealth Games, has put the blame on the PWD for the mishap. It may be recalled that the FOB near the stadium had come crashing down on Septe-mber 21, after which the Army had built an alternate FOB in a flat seven days.
An enquiry committee constituted to examine the cause of the collapse, in its report, had stated that it found no substandard material having been used and put the blame on the joint of Macalloy suspender bars. “The collapse has taken place because of the failure of the joint of Macalloy suspender bars which had been prescribed as part of the design for suspension of the deck of the FOB with the main arch. In this system, the deck is supported by Macalloy suspenders which are connected to a gusset plate on the deck and to the arch at the upper end,” the enquiry report had submitted, thus pointing fingers at the British firm and an Indian consultant, which had suggested the use of it.
Though the British firm had not given any clarification to the enquiry committee, it has told the government that the fault lied with the PWD. “The British firm has told the government that the parts supplied by it could not be blamed for the mishap. The FOB collapsed due to problems in the construction work and lapses on the part of the contractor,” stated a senior official.