Civic body was aware of risk of reopening

The Morbi Nagar Palikawas aware of the risks of reopening the suspension bridge and allowing a large number of people on it, given the allegedly slipshod manner in which the Oreva Group had executed the renovation project, chief municipal officer Sandeepsinh Jhala reportedly told police.

- Ashish.Chauhan timesgroup.com

“We asked him if he was aware that the contractor hadn’t taken permission to reopen the bridge (five days before it collapsed). He (Jahla) admitted no nod had been sought or given,” a senior police official said.

Civic body knew quality of bridge renovation was poor, risks of reopening

Ahmedabad/Morbi: Municipal officials in Morbi may have known all along that the collapse of the 143-year-old bridge over the Machchhu river last Sunday was a disaster waiting to happen, police said on Wednesday after getting a purported statement from chief officer Sandeepsinh Jhala about the civic authorities being aware the renovation wasn't up to scratch.