In a tragic turn of events, a railway bridge under construction in Mizoram’s Aizawl district collapsed, leading to a devastating loss of life. According to officials, out of the 26 workers who were present at the site, it is feared that 23 individuals have lost their lives. The authorities have so far recovered 21 bodies, with two people still missing. Additionally, three workers sustained injuries during the incident. While two of them were provided with necessary first aid and subsequently discharged, the third person was admitted to the Civil Hospital in Aizawl due to a fracture in the right hand.
All 26 workers involved in the construction hailed from the Malda district in West Bengal, highlighting the widespread nature of this tragedy. The mishap, which occurred on Wednesday, was attributed to the collapse of a gantry that was being launched as part of the construction process for a bridge over the Kurung river.
In response to the incident, a high-level committee has been formed to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collapse. The bridge was a crucial component of the Bhairavi-Sairang new railway line project, adding significance to the need for a comprehensive inquiry.
West Bengal’s Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, announced that arrangements have been made to repatriate the victims’ bodies back to their home state. Additionally, State Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury extended his support by visiting the families of the victims in the Malda district, assuring them of assistance during this trying time.
Highlighting the widespread issue of migrant workers leaving their home state in search of livelihood opportunities, Chowdhury criticized the prevailing situation. He questioned the lack of effort from the government in addressing this concern and providing training and employment avenues to the citizens. Expressing concern for the migrant workers’ well-being, he emphasized that these individuals play a pivotal role in sustaining the rural economy, even though their contribution often goes unrecognized. The absence of comprehensive data on migrant workers, according to Chowdhury, reflects the government’s neglect of this pressing issue.
The tragedy at the under-construction railway bridge serves as a somber reminder of the challenges faced by migrant workers and the need for comprehensive measures to ensure their safety and well-being.
