Maharashtra: Opposition blames govt for accident on Samruddhi Expressway

Twenty people were killed when a girder and its launcher collapsed on the Samruddhi Expressway, in Shahapur on Monday. Pic/Sameer Markande

Opposition parties have blamed the government for the collapse of the girder and its launcher on the under-construction third leg of the Samruddhi Mahamarg in Shahapur. They have demanded that the road's two working legs be shut for traffic until all precautions and arrangements are put in place, to prevent further accidental deaths.

The matter came up in the Assembly on Wednesday when the Congress members approached the Speaker to get the day's scheduled business replaced with their proposal to discuss the accident that claimed 20 lives on Monday.

Prithviraj Chavan, leader, Congress and Vijay Wadettiwar, leader, Congress

Nana Patole, president of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, held the government responsible, alleging the contractors were instructed to expedite work that actually needed more time to finish to perfection. "It has become a death road instead of a way to prosperity," he said, referring to the vehicular accidents that have taken place on the expressway since last December.

Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar also blamed it on the government. The matter must be discussed, he said when the proposal was turned down by the Speaker.
"Shut the road currently being used until precautions and arrangements are put in place. Audit the road for faulty construction. Don't shift blame on the people who work at the lower level. Throw it open to traffic only after it's safe. And discuss the issue here in the house," said the MLA, who is waiting to be endorsed as the Opposition leader in the Assembly.

Former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said the contractors of the third phase were directed to complete work anyhow before the Lok Sabha elections. He said, "It seems the government wants to inaugurate the third phase before the Lok Sabha elections. It should be verified whether the subcontractor of the bridge that collapsed had any experience of such huge work. We have lost many lives in the past, we will continue to lose lives in the future as well..."

Former minister and NCP leader Anil Deshmukh said it was the first ever accident where a girder had collapsed. "Such things have not happened, even when the girders were launched in stormy seas. Inquire into this serious accident," he said.