CSMT Bridge Collapse: Mumbai Police Arrest Structural Auditor Neeraj Desai
The Mumbai police have arrested Neeraj Desai, the structural auditor of the bridge that collapsed resulting in the death of six people, and injured over 30.
Mumbai, March 18: The Mumbai Police has made an arrest in the Mumbai CSTM bridge collapse that killed six people and injured over 30 people last week. The Mumbai police have arrested Neeraj Desai, the structural auditor of the bridge that collapsed. Mumbai Foot Over Bridge Collapse: 5 Dead in CSMT Station FOB Collapse; Here's A Look At Similar Recent Mishaps in The Maximum City.
The structural audit of the bridge that collapsed had come under severe criticism after it came to light that the audit had said that the bridge was not in a severe condition and that it required minor repairs only. However, almost one third of the bridge collapsed on Thursday, March 14. Mumbai CSMT Foot Over Bridge Collapse: FOB Was Declared 'Fit For Use' in Audit Report Six Months Ago.
Neeraj Kumar Desai's firm had reportedly carried out the structural audit of the bridge and declared it safe for use despite some corrosion in the structure, police said.
"We detained Desai Sunday after ascertaining negligence on his part and arrested him," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone I) Abhishek Trimukhe told reporters here.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had earlier said that a high-level inquiry will be conducted into Thursday’s foot overbridge collapse in Mumbai which left six people dead and several injured.
The Mumbai police made the arrest on Monday evening, tweeted news agency ANI:
“It is sad that even after carrying out structural audits, such incidents are taking place...a high-level enquiry will be done to probe the matter. An FIR has been lodged,” he told reporters after visiting St George hospital where several of the injured have been admitted.”
I have also asked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to finish primary repair work of the bridge till the evening so that people can commute hassle-free,” he had said to reporters while speaking to the media.
Six people were killed and over 30 injured after a portion of the overbridge near the crowded Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus railway station collapsed on Thursday evening.The injured were admitted to three nearby hospitals — St George Hospital, G T Hospital and Bombay Hospital.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 18, 2019 10:21 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).