Police have registered a case against the executing agency and contractor responsible for the construction of an under-construction bridge over the Betwa River in Uttar Pradesh’s Hamirpur district after a deadly collapse that killed six labourers and injured three others. Authorities said the accused have been booked on charges of negligence and lapses in the execution of government work.
The FIR was lodged at Kurara Police Station on Friday night based on a complaint filed by State Bridge Corporation Deputy Project Manager Dilip Kumar. The complaint names executing agency owner Pawan Pratap Singh and contractor Nitish Kumar. Police said the investigation will examine whether safety protocols and construction standards were ignored during the project.
The incident occurred around 3 am on the intervening night of May 28 and 29 when a concrete slab of the bridge under construction between Parsani and Kandaur villages collapsed during a severe storm. Several labourers working on the project were reportedly sleeping on the upper section of the structure when it suddenly gave way. Six workers died in the collapse, while three others were rescued with injuries.
Officials said the bridge was being constructed across the Betwa River, around 25 kilometres from Hamirpur town. Rescue teams, including police and disaster response personnel, rushed to the site soon after receiving information about the collapse and carried out search and recovery operations.
Administrative action has already begun following the tragedy. One Assistant Engineer associated with the project has been suspended on charges of negligence pending further investigation. Authorities are also reviewing construction records, site management procedures, and the quality of work carried out at the project.
While officials noted that a powerful storm struck the area shortly before the collapse, investigators are examining whether weather alone caused the accident or if construction defects, poor supervision, or safety violations also contributed to the failure. The incident has raised fresh concerns about worker safety and oversight at large infrastructure projects.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced financial assistance of ₹5 lakh for the families of each deceased worker and ₹50,000 for those injured in the collapse.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and further action may be taken depending on the findings regarding responsibility for the fatal bridge collapse.
