Kolkata Majerhat Bridge Collapse: Vehicles crushed in the incident were cleared by Hydraulic cranes. (Express photo by Partha Paul) Kolkata Majerhat Bridge Collapse: Vehicles crushed in the incident were cleared by Hydraulic cranes. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

State-run engineering and consultancy agency RiTES had in 2016 warned the West Bengal government on the precarious condition of several bridges in the city including the Majerhat structure but no action was taken, officials told PTI Wednesday. One of them said that the West Bengal government was about to undertake repair work on the decrepit Majerhat bridge but it got delayed due to bureaucratic wrangles.

A suo moto case has been registered at Alipur police station against unknown people (maintenance agency) in relation with the Majerhat Bridge collapse in south Kolkata. The case has been filed under Sections 304, 308, 427 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code.

At least one person was killed and 25 others injured in south Kolkata after a portion of the Majherhat bridge collapsed on Tuesday. The rescuers did not find anyone trapped in the debris overnight, but a police officer said clearance operations was on full tilt on Wednesday morning.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is on a three-day trip to the Hills, said she would be cutting short her visit and has ordered a probe by a “high-power committee” led by chief secretary Moloy De, adding that action would be taken against “those whose negligence caused the disaster”

The 50-year-old bridge, located adjacent to the Majherhat railway station, was maintained by the state public works department (PWD). It connects the city to the southern fringes and is an important link between Behala and Kidderpore. Follow LIVE Updates in Bengali