Public Works Department (PWD) officials and contractors on one side and Metroman E.
The bridge is being constructed over the Chaliyar river connecting Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. The beams collapsed on 16 May while they were being attached to the poles using hydraulic jacks. The contractor, Uralungal Labor Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS), later told that the incident happened due to a fault in the machine.
However, representatives of people from the nearby Vazhakkad gram panchayat, who visited the area, said there was no water in the explanation, as the beams would fall directly into the river if the machine malfunctioned. Here, they were found lying sideways. The public representatives had a heated argument with the officials regarding this matter. Only one beam had fallen into the river. Sreedharan also raised similar doubts, as he had questioned the contractor’s explanation, though he clarified that he would be able to comment on it only on the spot.
PWD officials also came under criticism when a news channel reported that the in-charge of construction was not present at the time of fixing the beam. He was apparently participating in an Engineers Association art and sports competition in Wayanad. The department claimed that its officers had inspected the beams after their construction, and their presence was not required when fixing them.
However, the ULCCS said that there was no lapse in construction. The beams had already been tested for their strength. There were no cracks in the structure. There has been no compromise on the quality of construction, he added.
Meanwhile, the Indian Union Muslim League and Congress are targeting Public Works Minister PA Mohammad Rias, recalling the Palarivattam flyover mess, when then minister VK Ibrahim Kunju had to step down after cracks developed in the bridge.
Soon after the incident, Mr. Riyas entrusted the investigation to the department’s vigilance wing and the Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB). The Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) also inspected the structure. While the KRFB and KIIFB inquiries agree with the “mechanical failure” theory, other investigations are yet to be completed.