Three Injured as Flyover Collapses in Kolkata

Three persons were injured when a major portion of the Ultadanga Flyover gave away in Kolkata on Sunday.

Around 4:30 am, slum dwellers residing nearby woke up to the sound of a loud crash when the flyover caved in with a lorry including three persons.

The debris fell into the canal taking with it the truck including the driver and his two helpers. They were soon rescued by locals and fire brigade personnel.

The injured have been admitted to hospital, said officials.

Police along with Disaster Management personnel rummaged through the wreckage and canal for any other victims.

The Ultdanga flyover connects VIP road to the airport with Eastern Metropolitan Bypass.

About 200 metres of the flyover covering an entire section of the flyover had collapsed, reported Hindustan Times.

A crack detected one and half years ago was examined by experts from Jadavpur University, said Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim. He said that the defect was a technical one and not maintenance related.

The flyover constructed two years ago during the Left Regime was "built in a hurry so that it could be inaugurated by then chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee before the 2011 assembly elections," alleged Hakim.

Blaming the faulty construction of the flyover, the minister said strict action would be taken against the engineers since the flyover was clear of maintenance-related issues.

He also said that cranes will be used to clear up the rubble from the canal.

Opposition leader Ashok Bhattacharya rubbished Hakim's claim saying that several flyovers built during the Left regime were operating smoothly and no technical fault was found during the Ultadanga flyover's construction.

"There is no point in blaming the Left Front government. They should make a proper inquiry to see if the flyover was properly maintained," said Bhatacharya as reported by Outlook.