A tragic incident unfolded in Delhi’s Roop Nagar area on Tuesday morning when a dilapidated bridge caved in, resulting in the death of a woman in her 50s. The bridge, deemed unsafe the previous year, continued to be used by residents as a critical shortcut despite efforts to barricade it.
Local authorities had closed the bridge in July after an inspection revealed severe structural deterioration. However, the barriers and chains put in place failed to prevent access as residents, including students and workers, sidestepped restrictions to cut down on an extensive detour between Roop Nagar and Gur Mandi.
The collapse has sparked outrage over prolonged negligence and conflicting local interests. Following the tragedy, governmental bodies have initiated a comprehensive safety audit of similar structures in the city and a probe into the immediate circumstances of the collapse. The Delhi government now demands a detailed report within 48 hours, emphasizing the urgency of ensuring public safety.
(With inputs from agencies.)