India
‘Delhi bridge collapses’: HC proposes CBI probe over safety concerns | India News – Times of India
A bench comprising Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela said no internal investigation was conducted despite structural concerns and a report pending since 2021 points to a possible cover-up of corruption.
“You hired the consultant in 2021. We are in November 2024. Why hasn’t this report come from them? Have you transferred the case to the CBI or someone else? This is the kind of construction that has taken place. Who are the people? involved in this 2015 scam, please tell us. This matter needs to be investigated,” the bench said.
Additionally, the court said the CBI would identify those responsible, stating that authorities had failed to conduct internal reviews.
The bench questioned the Delhi government adviser on the structural weakness of a relatively new flyover, comparing it to structures from the 1980s that are still operational.
“How can you have such a weak structure? This is not even ten years old. Can a viaduct like this, where you would have spent millions, fall down? All the viaducts built in the 1980s are still functional “And your structure in 2015 is in ruins. It doesn’t take a magician to understand why these flyovers are collapsing. You must order an investigation into this case,” the court said.
The court expressed serious concerns about public safety and questioned the authorities’ response to the case structural defects. They criticized the solution to limit heavy traffic on the viaduct.
The bank further said no internal investigation was conducted and questioned the issuance of completion certificates, highlighting the destruction of evidence.
On November 25, the court had expressed dissatisfaction over the financing of disagreements between PWD and TTDC over repairs.
PWD representatives argued that after the flyover was built in 2015, TTDC should carry out the repairs. TTDC countered that they were waiting for PWD funds, including Rs 8 crore due to the original contractor.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, the Delhi government lawyer confirmed the resolution of the dispute.
The next hearing was scheduled for December 3.
The PIL, filed through advocates Neeraj, Satya Ranjan and KK Mishra, detailed that TTDC had initiated tenders for road bridges near Nathu Colony Chowk, with completion of the project in 2016.
The petition pointed out persistent construction defects that have not been addressed by PWD and the company and pointed out the public inconvenience caused by restrictions on heavy vehicles for two years.
“The defects in the flyover were visible since the year 2015 and both respondent number 3 and 4 (company and builder) were informed about the said defects. There has been an inordinate delay in rectifying these defects and till date no action has been taken to ensure the safety of the general public,” the petition said.
