The tragic Morbi incident is definitely a man-made disaster. So many things have come to light, which probably will just die down in few days unless the media and the administration take it to its logical conclusion.
To start with, ask any businessman about the contract and he will say it is a God’s gift, the reason being, where will you get a big job (worth crores) without giving a quotation, no need to provide a fitness certificate after completion (which means there is no inspection from any government agencies). And to make it more lucrative, you will get further paid to maintain it for the next 15 years, no expertise needed even if it is a critical job, the businessman is bound to say, it is a “A God’s Gift”. The only criteria needed is that you need to be close to the ruling party.
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When the job was handed to the Oreva group, that manufactures watches they in turn give it to a small-time contractor, who does the job as per his expertise.
The actual job carried out was that the wooden floor was removed (which was 140 years old) and 4 layers of aluminium sheets were added to the floor without even taking into consideration if the steel ropes could take the weight or no. There is no job specified in the contract hence the contractor has done whatever he felt necessary. Moreover the contract does not ask for a fitness certificate once the job is completed.
This is negligence of the highest order and all the people should be put to trial, including the top bosses of Oreva group and the administration, that has signed the contract and were gleefully posing during the opening of the bridge couple of days ago. (Wonder what was their contribution)
As of now 9 people are arrested which include the security guards (working on the sight), the booking clerks (who booked tickets to go on the bridge) and the sub- contractors, but so far none from the administration or the top bosses are taken into custody, giving them enough time to plan their moves.
Another very important fact which I thought needs to be highlighted was that, there was this group of 5 friends on the bridge when it collapsed; 1 succumbed and the others reached the shore but when they heard the screams of others, 3 friends namely, Naeem, Taufiq Pathan and Hussain Pathan jumped into the water to save the people and help in the rescue operations. The administration has already acknowledged that they saved more than 110 people.
Surely the electronic media will not invite them on prime time to acknowledge their contribution as they are giving us our daily dose of hatred. Maybe the contribution of these 3 superstars will be forgotten soon. But this was their contribution for the country and they need not prove to anybody of their nationalism towards the country.
Half-mast flags are flown as a sign of mourning, financial aid to the victims will be given but the real justice will be when the perpetrators of this crime are punished only then we will know the seriousness of the double engine sarkar.
Till then, Rest in Peace my fellow citizens.
