Sudden day-light collapse of just 50-years old Majherhat-bridge in Kolkata on 04.09.2018, third such incident in past six years, is a clear-cut case of corruption and negligence in public-projects. Bridges built during British regime in India including nearby Howrah bridge are much more reliable and strong even after more than a century of their completion. Any enquiry into corruption in building the collapsed bridge may now lead to nowhere because those found guilty might have been dead by now. However a fast-track enquiry by a Special Investigation Team under supervision of Kolkata High Court with wide-ranging terms for enquiry including suggesting ways to check corruption and malpractices in public-projects may perhaps tend to check such future accidents. Case of murder and not mere accident should be filed for the accident, and action needs to be taken against those found guilty and still alive. Property left behind by the guilty ones who are now not alive, should be confiscated.
Political rulers and their parties at time of construction of Majherhat-bridge in Kolkata are equally responsible for under-quality bridge made in their regime.
MADHU AGRAWAL