MORBI BRIDGE COLLAPSE: PM MODI TO VISIT MORBI TODAY; STATEWIDE MOURNING ANNOUNCED

On November 1, Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Morbi in Gujarat, two days after a suspension bridge from the British era over the Machchhu river collapsed, killing 134 people. The office of Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel tweeted an official confirmation of the visit. All additional public functions that PM Modi was scheduled to attend on Tuesday have been cancelled.

At 3:45 PM today, PM Modi will go to the accident site, the Morbi bridge. The prime minister is set to visit the injured patients at the Morbi Civil Hospital at 4 PM and visit the SP's office at 4:15 PM.

A century-old suspension bridge that was a popular tourist attraction collapsed on Sunday night due to overcrowding. Just a few days ago, after seven months of repairs by a private company, it was reopened to the public.

On November 2, the Gujarat government proclaimed a day of national mourning in honour of those lost in the collapse of the Morbi bridge.

Following lengthy maintenance and renovation, the bridge was reopened a few days ago. On Sunday evening at around 6.30 p.m., the bridge was packed with people due to a surge of visitors. The sad event has shocked people all around the nation.

On Sunday evening, as the situation remained grave, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with the Gujarat chief minister. According to the PMO, PM Modi directed the rapid mobilisation of teams for rescue operations and also asked that the situation be constantly and consistently watched while receiving all appropriate help for those in need.

The next of kin of each person killed in the accident in Morbi would receive an ex-gratia payout from the PMNRF of Rs 2 lakh, according to PM Modi's announcement. PMO tweeted that the injured would receive Rs 50,000. The families of the deceased will receive Rs. 4 lakh, while those injured would receive Rs. 50,000, according to CM Bhupendra Patel.

While speaking to a crowd near the Statue of Unity, Prime Minister Modi, who is on a three-day visit to Gujarat, broke down. Additionally, he gave the state governments their full support in their relief efforts and promised that the victims would get all available aid from the central government.