UP to form bridge safety cell

The Uttar Pradesh Government will set up a bridge safety cell that will regularly inspect construction sites to prevent tragedies like yesterday's flyover collapse.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said the government will form the "Setu Suraksha Cell" to keep an eye on all bridges and flyovers being constructed in the state.

The safety cell will ensure that precautions are taken at construction sites and there is no compromise with the quality of the work, Maurya told reporters today.

The cell will ensure the safety of people travelling in vehicles and on foot near the construction sites, he said. It will also make sure that the labourers are also safe.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited Varanasi yesterday, a few hours after accident and met the injured at the BHU Trauma Centre and the Divisional Hospital at Kabirchaura.

He instructed health officials to provide all medical facilties to the injured free of charge.

The state government today released a list of 15 people killed in the flyover collapse. Yesterday, officials had put the toll at 18.

A portion of a flyover being constructed by the Uttar Pradesh State Bridge Corporation fell, crushing vehicles passing under it.