Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the demise of as many as 132 people in a bridge collapse in Morbi and said that he has to walk the path of “kartavya” (duty) as he attended a function in Kevadia of his home state Gujarat on Monday.
On Sunday evening, a tourist bridge over the Machhu river collapsed in Morbi district, drowning over a hundred people and injuring around hundred others. As per local media reports, the death toll has risen to 132. The number of injured persons stands at 93.
Speaking at the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas event in Kevadia, PM Modi said that no event, pleasant or tragic, should hinder the path of duty by the countrymen.
“I am in Ekta Nagar but my heart is with the victims of the Morbi tragedy. I have experienced such pain in my heart on rare occasions. On one hand, there is a pain-riddled heart and on the other hand, I have to walk the path of duty.”
He further said: “I express my condolences to families of those who lost their lives in the accident. In this hour of grief, the government stands with the bereaved families.”
ALSO READ: Morbi Bridge Collapse: Case Of Culpable Homicide Registered Against Oreva
The prime minister informed that the Gujarat government with the assistance of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Army and the Air Force is carrying out relief and rescue operations since Sunday evening.
“The Central government is also providing all possible help. I assure the people of the country that there will be no laxity in rescue and relief operations,” he said, adding that the state government has formed a committee to investigate the accident.
Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel reached Morbi last night to oversee the rescue efforts. This morning, he held a review meeting with the district collector and other senior officials.
Meanwhile, an FIR has been filed by the Morbi Police against the agencies responsible for the maintenance and management of the bridge under Sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) and 114 (abettor present when offence is committed) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).