Morbi Tragedy: HC Pulls Up Gujarat Govt For ‘Highly Insufficient’ Compensation To Victims’ Kin

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court on Thursday pulled up the Gujarat government for providing ‘abysmal’ compensation to families of those who died in the Morbi bridge collapse.

The court was also critical of the compensation amount announced for those injured in the terrible tragedy that shocked the nation.

The court observed that the compensation should be realistic, and the need of the hour is to provide appropriate compensation.

More than 140 people, including about 40 children, lost their lives when the 140-year-old suspension bridge over the Machchhu river collapsed on October 30.

The court was blunt in saying that an amount of Rs 3,000 per month proposed by the state government for those who became orphans after the accident is nothing and will not cover even the cost of uniforms and books.

“Rs 3,000 per month is highly insufficient,” said the court.

Seven children were orphaned and 12 lost one parent.

Also Read: Morbi Bridge Collapse An ‘Enormous Tragedy’: Supreme Court

The high court suggested the state government should double the compensation amount or give at least Rs 10 lakh to families of the victims.

Asking the state government to furnish full details of those who were dependent on victims of the accident, the court directed it to file a detailed affidavit and frame a policy to properly compensate those affected by the accident.

Objecting to victims’ castes being mentioned in the list of the deceased, the high court also asked the Gujarat government to conduct a survey of all bridges in the state and ensure they are in proper condition.

Also Read: Morbi Bridge Collapse The ‘Will Of God’, Arrested Official Says In Court