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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of those killed and Rs 2 lakh for families of those injured in the Varanasi flyover collapse on Tuesday.
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who visited Banaras Hindu University Trauma Center and Kabir Chaura Hospital to meet the victims, had also announced a three-member committee to probe into the accident and give its report within 48 hours.
At least 18 people were killed and several injured after a portion a portion of the under-construction flyover being built by a state-run corporation collapsed on a busy road in Varanasi on Tuesday. Most of the victims were commuters who were crossing underneath the flyover when it came crashing down.
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As per media reports, the Police said the incident took place around 5 pm when two pillars collapsed, bringing a huge slab of concrete down.
The under construction flyover, which is around 1.5 kilometer long, starts from Chowka Ghat to Naharpura, via cantonment area, added media reports.
PM Modi expresses grief
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident and said that Uttar Pradesh government was monitoring the situation.
In a series of tweets, PM Modi said, “Extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to the collapse of an under-construction flyover in Varanasi. I pray that the injured recover soon. Spoke to officials and asked them to ensure all possible support to those affected.
“I spoke to UP CM Yogi Adityanath Ji regarding the situation due to the collapse of an under-construction flyover in Varanasi. The UP Government is monitoring the situation very closely and is working on the ground to assist the affected,” said PM Modi in another tweet.
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Governor Ram Naik and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh condoled the deaths.
Govt suspends project manager
Chief Project Manager HC Tiwari and three other officials of the Uttar Pradesh State Bridge Corporation Ltd have been suspended. The 2,261-metre flyover is being built at a cost of Rs 129 crore, officials said. The potion which colpased had been laid barely three months ago, they added.
Authorities said no work was going on when the concrete slab crashed. The tragedy is similar to the flyover collapse in Kolkata two years back, when over 25 people were killed.
(with agency inputs)
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