The Andhra Pradesh government on Monday ordered the suspension of three engineers for negligence, in connection with the collapse of an under-construction flyover at Punjagutta. Two persons were killed and several were injured when a portion of the flyover caved in on Sunday night.
Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy, who held a review meeting with senior officials, announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs five lakh for the families of the two persons killed in the collapse. The government will
also pay ex-gratia of Rs 20,000 to Rs one lakh to the nine persons injured in the incident.
The government has also decided to pay compensation to those people whose vehicles were damaged in the incident and who don't have insurance cover.Of the eight vehicles damaged in the incident, two were auto-rickshaws.
The Punjagutta police have registered a case against the main contractor Gammon India under Sections 304 A, 337 and 338 of the Indian Penal Code for causing death by negligence and causing hurt and grievous hurt by act endangering the life or personal safety of others. The case was booked on the basis of a complaint lodged by some of the injured and the relatives of M B Kumar, who lost his life in the accident.
The state government has also appointed a five-member high-level expert committee to probe the collapse. The committee comprises the Roads and Buildings Department engineer-in-chief and engineering experts from Osmania University, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, National Academy of Construction (Hyderabad) and Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai. The panel has been asked to conduct a detailed inquiry and submit its report to the government within three days.
Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Chief Commissioner C V S K Sarma has assured that the strictest action will be taken against the contractors, consultants and GHMC engineers after the committee submits its report.
More from rediff