The Odisha Forest, Wood, Agriculture and Building Construction Workers’ Union on Thursday demanded a CBI enquiry into the Jutamundia- Subarnapur-Mahanadi bridge collapse incident August 27 and arrest of the contractor and the Works Secretary.

Union president Sura Jena told a Press conference here that the a delegation of the union visited the under-construction bridge collapse site on October 20.“We feel that though the Government is claiming 11 workers were injured in the mishap, in reality the number is more. The contractor and the Works Department have fudged the figure of the injured,” said Jena.

As most of the workers are from West Bengal and Odisha’s Nuapada, Kalahandi, Bargarh and Koraput districts, neither the contractor nor the labour Department has the exact number of the workers who were at the site. The workers were not even registered under the Construction Workers Act, Jena alleged.“Even though the bridge is being constructed under the direct supervision of the Works Secretary, guidelines are being openly flouted. The honeymoon between the contractor and the Secretary warrants investigation,” Jena said.

He stated that if the reason behind the bridge collapse is examined, it is apparent that the accident was a man-made and well-planned conspiracy to loot the State exchequer of crores of rupees. The 2,070-meter-long bridge, whose construction started in January 10, 2008 according to the conditions in the tender, is yet to be completed for which lame excuses are being given. Due to this, the estimated cost of the bridge has spiralled.

“The inquiry committee formed to probe the incident was supposed to submit a report within 10 days, but even after three months it is yet to be submitted. The top mandarins’ motive to shield the accused is apparent, and for this a special committee should be set up to probe the bridge collapse incident and punish the guilty,” Jena demanded.He further stated that if the circumstances are examined, it is clear that the Works Secretary has showed undue favour to contractor Rajalaxmi Construction and is responsible for the mishap.