Ludhiana flyover collapse: Municipal Corporation blames ‘rats’ from garbage dump, experts flag poor construction

He added that after the construction completed, flyover was handed over to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) who would now be repairing it.

The rodent problem in the area is due to MC’s own garbage dump under the bridge. MC official Dharam Singh said, “We have our own garbage dump under the bridge which had led this roden problem here. We are looking into it. Locals have also complained about rats.”

However, the Council of Engineers, which inspected the flyover Monday in its report said the wall did not collapsed due to rats but ‘poor quality of construction’. “The other side of the retaining wall is also on the verge of a collapse and has bulged out. The walls are out of plumb beyond permissible limits as the pre-cast RCC blocks are not properly locked with each other. Apart from rats, water seepage from top is also an issue. It is a big question that how the department gave clearance to such poor quality of construction, said Er Kapil Arora, president of the body.

Ludhiana MP Ravneet Singh Bittu who also visited the spot Monday said that a committee including an IAS and PCS officer and other officials from Public Works Department (PWD), Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) and Municipal Corporation has been formed to give a report. He added that NHAI experts from Delhi have also arrived to study the issue.