'Act of God' - Builder IVRCL Infrastructure company's reaction on Kolkata flyover collapse

At least 18 people were killed, over 60 others injured and many trapped as portion of an under-construction two km flyover collapsed on a congested road intersection in Kolkata.

Kolkata: Even as massive tragedy struck Kolkata on Thursday, IVRCL Infrastructure company, builders of the flyover, said it was nothing but 'God's act'.

"45% work was left, one girder missed and second one fell. It is nothing but God's act," K Panduranga Rao, Group Head (HR & Admin) of the Hyderabad-based company told reporters​.

"This has never happened before, we are also in shock," he added.

At the same time, he said that two of IVRCL engineers were also missing from the collapsed site, adding, searches were in progress to find them.

When asked about the reason for the collapse, Director (Operations), AGK Murty, said, "It's not due to any quality issue nor any technical issue, as of now".

Murty said that 70 per cent of work on construction of the flyover had been completed, and today 60th slab was being "done" (when it collapsed).
 The two officials said the company would cooperate with government agencies.

"Whatever best possible, we will be doing. All the projects have their own insurance...Whatever best possible, we will be doing for the people involved", Murty said.

At least 18 people were killed and over 60 others injured and many trapped as portion of an under-construction two km flyover collapsed on a congested road intersection here, crushing people, vehicles and hawkers.

CCTV footage showed people, cars, autorickshaws and hawkers coming under the collapsed structure. Some trying to flee the spot were also trapped.

A blame game erupted with the ruling Trinamool Congress blaming the previous Left Front government, which started construction of the flyover when it was in power, and the Left parties hitting back.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said,"The tender was passed in 2009 by the erstwhile Left Front government and was given to Hyderabad-based IVRCL Construction," adding that the company had not provided the government details of the construction plan despite several reminders.

"Stringent action will be taken against officials of the construction company and others involved," the chief minister, who cut short her election campaign in West Midnapore district and rushed back to the city, said.

(With Agency inputs)