By Irudhaya Jothi

Sairang, Aug 23, 2023: At least 17 workers were killed August 23 after an under-construction railway bridge collapsed near Sairang area of Mizoram, police said.

Several others are feared trapped at the site, as 35-40 workers were present when the incident occurred around 10 am.

The mishap took place 21 km northwest of Aizawl, the state capital

“Seventeen bodies have been recovered from the debris so far… many others are still missing,” a police officer told reporters.

The Prime Minister’s Office expressed grief over the incident.

“Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. Rescue operations are underway and all possible assistance is being given to those affected,” the office said.

It announced ex-gratia of 200,000 rupees from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to be given to the next of kin of each deceased and 50,000 rupees to the wounded.

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga said he was deeply saddened and affected by the tragedy. “I extend my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. Sending gratitude to the people who have come out in large number to help with rescue operations,” he stated.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock at the tragic collapse of the under-construction railway bridge in Mizoram. She says some of the workers belonged to her state’s Malda district. “Have instructed my chief secretary to coordinate with Mizoram administration at once for rescue/assistance operations,” she added.

The bridge project was expected completed this year. The accident has raised doubts over its completion on time. The bridge, when completed, would connect Mizoram with the rest of India.

Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone of the Sairang-Bairabi broad gauge line in November 2014. The bridge project was started the following year.

Aizawl was expected to be on the railway map by December this year after the construction of a 51.38-km long broad-gauge railway line between Sairang and Bairabi on the Mizoram–Assam border.

Sairang is located 12 km from the state’s lone Lengpui airport.

The rail line has 32 tunnels (12.67 km total length), 16 cut and cover tunnels (2.58 km total length) along the 51.38 km long stretch of broad gauge railway, which traverses through the Thingdawl and Tlangnuam Blocks of Kolasib district and Aizawl districts.

The project also has 55 major bridges of which 6 are tall bridges having a height of more than 70 m (the tallest being 101.4 m), 87 minor bridges, 5 road over bridges and 8 road under bridges.