Kota: The under-construction bridge collapse tragedy in Kota has gone from bad to worse. Even as five days have passed after the under construction bridge collapsed, 17 workers are still trapped inside the debris.
Now the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has given the builders of the bridge - Gammon India and South Korea's Hyundai Engineering - a clean chit in the tragic incident.
NHAI has also allowed the two companies to continue construction work and is now blaming US-based company Louis Berger for the collapse of the bridge over the Chambal River.
NHAI claims the design of the bridge was faulty and that the construction companies are blameless.
"This is a very serious incident. Lots of people have lost their lives. We will investigate the matter," said NHAI Chairperson Brijeshwar Singh.
At least 32 workers have already died in the incident and a police investigation is underway.
Two officials from Gammon India and Engineering along with two NHAI officials have been booked for culpable homicide for negligence causing death.
The 50-metre bridge collapsed on December 24 when about 50 labourers were at the scene.
The bridge was being built over the Chambal River near Kota in Rajasthan jointly by Hyundai Engineering and Gammon India.
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