Morbi4 hours ago
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On October 25, the bridge was inaugurated with the family.
The death toll in Gujarat’s Morbi bridge accident reached 190. Including 25 children. Women and elderly people are also more among the dead. 170 people have been rescued. The accident happened at 6.30 pm on Sunday when the 765 feet long and just 4.5 feet wide cable suspension bridge collapsed.
Bridge was opened 5 days ago
Orewa Group was responsible for the maintenance of this bridge. After about 6 months of renovation, the bridge was opened to the general public 5 days ago. Now a lot of information is coming out in this matter. Bhaskar has received a copy of the agreement under which Morbi Municipality had entrusted the maintenance of the suspension bridge to Orewa Company for 15 years in March-2022. This agreement was done on March 5, 2022.
From the very first day, instead of 15 rupees, 17 rupees instead of 10 and 12 rupees instead of 10 rupees started.
The company started siphoning money from day one
As per the main terms of this agreement, during the year 2022-23, Rs 15 was to be charged for a person above 12 years of age and Rs 10 for children from 12 years to 5 years. But, from the very first day of opening the bridge, Oreva started extorting Rs.17 instead of Rs.15 and Rs.12 instead of Rs.10.
There is no municipality name in the ticket
Generally, when government property is given to a private entity for operation, its original ownership remains with the government entity. For example, if a plot is given to a private firm for parking, then the Municipal Corporation is also written on it. National Highway Authority is written in the header of the tool coupon even on the toll plazas of the national highways. But, Orewa Group did not mention Morbi Municipality on the ticket of the bridge. It is clear that the ticket prices were decided by themselves.
Inaugurated on 25 October.
Inaugurated as ancestral property
Sandeep Singh Jhala, Chief Officer of Morbi Municipality, told the media yesterday that Oreva had not taken NOC from the Municipal Corporation before opening the bridge. Despite this, the bridge was inaugurated on 26 October on its own free will. There was no member or official of the municipality at the inauguration ceremony. Orewa’s MD Jaisukh Patel and his family are visible in the photos and videos of the inauguration of the newly built bridge on the Facebook and Insta pages of the Orewa Group. The bridge was inaugurated by Jaisukh Patel as if it were his ancestral property.
The entire bridge collapsed just 5 days after the renovation.
Didn’t even say two words for the next of kin of the deceased.
The company proudly opened the bridge, which collapsed within five days. Hundreds of people have died in the accident and Jaisukh Patel, MD of Oreva Group responsible for this accident and none of his family members uttered two words for the next of kin of the deceased.
Jaisukh Patel went underground with family?
Since the accident, there is no contact with Orewa Group MD Jaisukh Patel and his family. There is also a discussion that the whole family has gone underground. Whereas, five days ago, Jaisukh Patel had a very warm press conference. In the conference, he had also told that how much has been spent in the renovation of the bridge and from where its material was purchased.