Foot-overbridge collapses near main CWG venue

Corruption, humiliation and now the collapse of infrastructure: that’s what the road leading to the Commonwealth Games has been about.

Barely two weeks away from the start to the Games, a 95-metre under-construction foot-over bridge caved in outside the main entrance of the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium today, injuring at least 27 workers. The opening ceremony will be held at the stadium on October 3.

The foot-bridge was being built at a cost of Rs 10 crore. Senior central government officers who were overseeing the preparations of the Games venues said the incident was a tragic setback and the bridge will not be ready before the Games. “It’s a huge bridge and it cannot be repaired or replaced because there is very little time left.”

The injured were rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Science and Safdarjung Hospital. Five workers were said to be critical.

The Delhi government has ordered an inquiry into the incident. The city police registered a case of negligence and is investigating it.

Union urban development minister S Jaipal Reddy, who is heading the Group of Ministers on the Commonwealth Games, blamed the incessant rains in Delhi for the accident. “There have been heavy rains for the last 20 days. I don’t have the complete details about the collapse, but I am sure the Games will be absolutely world class.”

Meanwhile, the Centre has said private vehicles will not be allowed near the stadium on October 3. It is estimated that over 60,000 people would come to watch the opening ceremony.

“We are discouraging people from bringing their vehicles. Apart from the President, Prime Minister, Cabinet ministers and a few officials of the Organising Committee, vehicles will not be allowed. All the Members of Parliament and secretaries will have to come in buses. We have arranged for 106 buses for the occasion,” said a senior official in the government.

Delhi Metro will ply trains at 3-minute intervals to manage the rush on the opening day.