GDA blames Metro for girder collapse, DMRC says report factually incorrect
The report found fault on part of DMRC and the contractor. DMRC will fix the responsibility. In our inquiry we have found that the girder was fit loosely . RITU MAHESHWARI, vice chairperson, Ghaziabad Development Authority
GHAZIABAD: The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) has wrapped up its initial inquiry in the collapse of a steel girder at a metro construction site in Mohan Nagar and sent its report to the Centre, UP government and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
Five commuters were severely injured and three vehicles damaged in the accident that took place on April 23.
The accident took place during construction of the 9.41-km Metro stretch by the DMRC from Dilshad Garden to New Bus Stand in Ghaziabad. A team of officials from the Ghaziabad Development Authority’s engineering department finalised their initial inquiry report on Wednesday.
“The report found fault on part of DMRC and the contractor. DMRC will fix the responsibility. In our inquiry we have found that the girder was fit loosely and led to the incident. We have written to the secretary, Union urban development ministry, principal secretary (housing – UP) and also to the managing director (DMRC),” said Ritu Maheshwari, vice chairperson, Ghaziabad Development Authority.
GDA officials who conducted the inquiry have also pointed fingers at the role of senior officials of the DMRC.
“The suspension of junior officers will not be enough. During the inquiry, we found that the heavy girder was fastened only with few nut bolts and all the bolts were not properly tightened. The heavy load of the girder could not be sustained by a few bolts and it came crashing down. It is a major road and could have led to a bigger incident,” said Hiralal Yadav, executive engineer, Ghaziabad Development Authority.
A DMRC spokesperson, however, denied the allegations.
“The GDA’S statement is factually incorrect and not based on any technical examination of the incident. DMRC is conducting such inquiry. Once it is complete, the exact cause shall be known and suitable action taken,” he said.