Issues related the collapse of a bridge over ‘Savitri river’ in Maharashtra that claimed several lives, Indo-Bangla land boundary agreement and the peace deal with NSCN(I-M) among others were raised in the lok Sabha on Wednesday.
The issue of two passenger buses and four other vehicles, feared to have been swept away following the collapse of a British-age Mumbai-Goa Highway bridge in Maharashtra on Tuesday night, was raised by the members with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh briefly detailing the rescue measures taken by the Centre. The Centre has rushed four NDRF teams along with 12 boats and expert divers for rescue operations.
The Home Minister gave the statement after Vinayak Raut (Shiv Sena) raised the issue, saying the incident happened as the bridge remained operational even though it was considered unsafe and another bridge over the river was constructed by the State Government.
Rajnath informed the lok Sabha that two helicopters have also been deployed and the Centre was giving all possible help to the State administration in the rescue efforts.
“What happened is very painful and unfortunate. It happened around 11.30 pm. Two passenger buses and four other vehicles are feared to have been washed away in the river,” he said. At least two persons drowned and 20 others are missing after a British-era bridge collapsed on the Mumbai-Goa Highway near Mahadi in Maharashtra’s Raigad district.
Neiphiu Rio (Nagaland People’s Front) said a year has passed since the “historic peace deal” between Government and NSCN(I-M) but there has been “no final settlement” as yet.