BRO files FIR against transporter over Rangchang Bridge collapse

SP ASSURES THOROUGH INVESTIGATION

GANGTOK, 21 Dec: The Border Roads Organisation has joined in the number of parties who have filed FIRs with the Singtam Police over the 19 December collapse of the Rangchang Bridge which resulted in the death of eight people. SP East, Dr. MS Tuli, confirmed the BRO FIR filed by its executive head which looks after the Singtam-Dikchu stretch of the highway.

BRO officials inform that the FIR was registered today against the transport company which was moving the heavy load across to North Sikkim that day, namely Upper India, as it is believed that the heavy 48 wheel trailer was overloaded. This caused the collapse of the bridge, BRO is now contending.
A BRO official also pointed out that the technical specification of the bridge was displayed prominently at the spot, including its load-bearing capacity, which was ignored when the 48-wheeler was plied on it.
BRO officials point out that the terrain in Sikkim is fragile, and hence one should be wary of overloaded and heavy vehicles, especially when limits on loads have been set. And since the bridge is a vital link to army posts in North Sikkim, apart from serving as a link for the locals as well, action should be taken on those violating the load limits.
The FIR lodged with the police does not mention Teesta Urja, but is more accusatory against the transporting company which was transporting the load for Teesta Urja. Incidentally, yesterday, an FIR had been filed against the state government, Teesta Urja and the BRO for the accident by the Platform for Joint Action against Hydel projects in West Sikkim.
With a detailed investigation and resultant report on what caused the bridge to collapse still awaited, this is apparently a blame-game being played out; however, notwithstanding this, the SP East stated that the police was not going to be biased in its investigation which will be thorough and cover all angles and agencies.
“We will question and take statements from all concerned, including Teesta Urja, BRO, the transporter and the Contractor,” stated the SP.
A suo moto FIR has already been filed by the police against the contractor, Mohan Bajaj and others under 304 and 120B IPC. “This is a matter of public safety and public convenience and there has to be some responsibility fixed for such an accident,” stressed the SP, adding that the police enquiry would be comprehensive.