In case of loss of life of commuters, register a case under section 302 against the guilty officials! – Surajya Abhiyan
Recently, the railings of the bridge over the Bhogavati river on Pen-Khopoli highway in Raigad which connects to the national highway broke, resulting in a potentially catastrophic incident where a car fell off the bridge at night. Fortunately, the passengers survived this incident. However, the potential for future accidents leading to tragic consequences is alarmingly high, and it is imperative that swift action is taken to address the pressing safety issue. The coordinator of Surajya Abhiyaan, Shri. Abhishek Murukate said, “Considering this, the Surajya Abhiyan of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti has demanded urgent attention to the repair work and a formal complaint has been lodged with the Chief Minister and Minister of Public Works (including Public Enterprises), Shri. Eknath Shinde.
Despite recent repairs and the allocation of funds amounting to 35 lakh Rupees by the National Highway Authority for the restoration of the iron railings, the condition of the bridge remains alarming. This raises serious doubts about the quality of the work carried out, prompting concerns about potential corruption and compromise in the construction standards. The urgency of this matter is underscored by the precarious state of the bridge, putting the lives of commuters at risk. Given the tragic incident in 2016, where 40 citizens lost their lives due to the collapse of the bridge over Savitri River at Mahad in Raigad district, the potential for another accident on the Bhogavati River Bridge cannot be ruled out. Shri. Abhishek Murkute said that Surajya Abhiyan has demanded immediate repairs of the bridge after conducting a ‘structural audit’ and if someone dies due to an accident during the period until the construction of the bridge, the relevant authorities be charged with culpable homicide under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code.
