Morbi: A preliminary report submitted by a Special Investigation Team on the Morbi suspension bridge collapse in Gujarat in October 2022, revealed that 22 of the 49 cables were corroded and wires appeared to be broken before the collapse.

“22 of the 49 cables were corroded which indicates that those wires may already be broken before the incident. The remaining 27 wires recently broke,” the report said.

The report also highlighted anomalies in the renovation and repair of the bridge, including improper testing of the main cable and vertical suspenders, welding of old suspenders with new ones, and the installation of a new deck that increased the weight of the bridge. The report also alleged that repair works were carried out by a “non-competent authority”.

The SIT report recommended that periodic audits of public structures be conducted, a register maintained for all such structures, and a proper SOP be developed. It also recommended that competent authorities periodically inspect any structure used by the public. The report pointed out insufficient security to prevent public damage and unrestricted movement on the bridge due to a lack of restrictions on the number of people accessing the bridge and the sale of tickets. DeshGujarat