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{{short description|Indian bridge failure}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox event
|title = 2018 Kolkata bridge collapse
|image =
|caption =
|date = {{start date and age|2018|09|04|df=yes}}
|location = [[Alipore, Kolkata]], India
|coordinates = {{Coord|22.518|N|88.323|E|display=inline, title}}
|reported deaths = 3<ref name="2018-09-04-TOI" />
|reported injuries = 25<ref name="2018-09-04-TOI" />
}}

The '''2018 Kolkata bridge collapse''' refers to the collapse of the Majerhat Bridge, in the city of [[Kolkata, India]], on 4 September 2018.<ref name="2018-09-04-uk-express" /><ref name="2018-09-04-ie" /> The bridge collapsed at around 4:45 PM ([[Indian Standard Time|IST]]), resulting in the death of three people and injuries to at least 25 others.<ref name="2018-09-04-HT" /><ref name="2018-09-04-TOI" /><ref name="2018-09-04-ie-live" /><ref name="2018-09-06-hindu" />

==Majerhat Bridge==
[[File:Newly constructed cabled-stayed Majerhat Road Over Bridge reopened after two years DSCN9685.jpg|thumb|Newly constructed cabled-stayed Majerhat Road Over Bridge reopened after two years]]
Majerhat Bridge is located at Majerhat, [[Alipore]], a neighbourhood of South [[Kolkata]].<ref name="2018-09-05-TOI-search" /> It was a major arterial road (Diamond Harbour Road) in the area connecting the [[South 24 Parganas district|southern suburbs]] to other parts of the city via [[Behala]].<ref name="2018-09-05-TOI-search" /><ref name="2018-09-04-TOI" /><ref name="2018-09-04-HT" /> It is also part of [[National Highway 12 (India)|National Highway 12]].<ref name="2018-09-05-TOI-search" />

[[Majerhat railway station]] is located beside the bridge. There is an adjacent [[Majerhat metro station]] for [[Purple Line (Kolkata Metro)|Purple Line]]. The bridge crosses the [[Indian Railways]] [[Sealdah South Lines|Sealdah South]] local rail network from [[Sealdah]] to [[Budge Budge]] as well as the [[Kolkata Circular Railway]] lines.

==Background==
There had been concern around the time of the accident that in Kolkata, and in wider India, proper road maintenance was not being undertaken.<ref name="2018-09-05-TOI-whats-wrong" /> This incident was the third bridge collapse in Kolkata in six years.<ref name="2018-09-05-TOI-search" /> On 4 March 2013, part of a flyover in [[Ultadanga]] had also collapsed.<ref name="2018-09-05-TOI-search" /> On 31 March 2016, part of an under-construction flyover [[Kolkata flyover collapse|had collapsed]] in central Kolkata's busy [[Girish Park]] area.<ref name="2018-09-04-NDTV" /><ref name="2018-09-05-TOI-search" /> 27 people had died in the tragedy, leaving 80 people gravely injured.<ref name="2016-04-02-CNNIBN" />

There had been reported concerns about Majerhat Bridge itself. At the time of the collapse the bridge was apparently over 50 years old.<ref name="2018-09-05-TOI-search" /> In 2010, the Majerhat Bridge had undergone repairs for subsidence.<ref name="2010-06-28-TOI" /> An audit in 2016 flagged the bridge as unsafe.<ref name="2018-09-05-TOI-TNN-red-flags" /> Concerns had been raised in 2018 by police, commuters and nearby residents stemming from visible cracks appearing in the structure.<ref name="2018-09-05-TOI-TNN-red-flags" />

==Incident==
The bridge caved in around 4:45 PM. Videos from the locality showed a portion of the bridge resting on the street below including at least nine vehicles, including a minibus, stuck on it.<ref name="2018-09-04-NDTV" />

===Deaths===
* Prabir Kumar Dey, a resident of Murshidabad, and a worker on the [[Purple Line (Kolkata Metro)|Purple Line]] project.<ref name="2018-09-05-telegraph-metro-worker" /><ref name="2018-09-06-hindu" />
* Soumen Bag, a resident of [[Behala]]'s Silpara.<ref name="2018-09-06-hindu" />
* Gautam Mondal, a cook employed in the nearby Purple Line project.<ref name="2018-09-06-telegraph-cook" /><ref name="2018-09-06-hindu" />

==Rescue efforts==
The rescue effort was started by the [[Kolkata Police]], an [[Indian Army]] unit from [[Fort William, India|Fort William]] and five special disaster management teams of the [[National Disaster Response Force|NDRF]]<ref name="2018-09-05-hindustan-times" /> after the mishap.<ref name="2018-09-04-NDTV-2" /> Injured people were sent to nearby SSKM, CMRI and Vidyasagar hospitals for treatment.<ref name="2018-09-05-TOI-tales" />

==Aftermath==
After the collapse, [[Eastern Railways]] suspended train services via [[Majerhat railway station]] on the [[Kolkata Circular Railway]] and [[Sealdah South lines|Sealdah-Budge Budge lines]].<ref name="2018-09-04-TOI-railways" /> Widespread road traffic disruption ensued as the bridge was a major route for vehicles moving between north and south Kolkata.<ref name="2018-09-04-TOI-railways" /><ref name="2018-09-07-toi-road-diversion" />

The Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee asked [[Chief secretary (India)|Chief Secretary]] Moloy Kumar De to hold an investigation committee into the collapse.<ref name="2018-09-06-hindu" /> She had noted that 20 bridges in the city were at risk of collapse.<ref name="2018-09-06-hindu" /><ref name="2018-09-07-toi-repair" /> A Times of India article on 7 September 2018 noted that the Public Works Department has admitted that urgent repairs had not been carried out properly, it was noted that patchwork repairs were carried out on the bridge, adding layers of bitumen, and therefore weight, rather than a thorough repair.<ref name="2018-09-07-toi-repair" /> The collapse led to a rising distrust among the public regarding the safety of bridges in India.<ref name="2018-09-05-TOI-whats-wrong" />

The safety of bridges in [[West Bengal]] has further come under scrutiny, as there have been 3 bridge collapses in September 2018 alone.<ref name="2018-09-24-toi" />

Preliminary results of investigations suggest that pollution and poor maintenance contributed to the bridge collapse.<ref name="2018-09-11-toi" /><ref name="2018-09-16-telegraph" /> Accusations that Metro construction had led to bridge collapse were felt to be unfounded.<ref name="2018-09-11-toi" /><ref name="2018-09-16-telegraph" /> There have been reports that repairs were hastily completed with claims that "a month's work was done in one night".<ref name="2018-09-04-quint" />
[[File:Majerhat metro station, majerhat railway station and Majerhat bridge tour 38.jpg|thumb|Old Majerhat bridge replacement called Jai Hind Setu]]
The state public works department (PWD) has undertaken a complete tear down of the old bridge and reconstruction of a new bridge at the same location and is aiming to commission the new bridge in November 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Ajanta Chakraborty |date=1 March 2020|title=Kolkata: Majerhat bridge looks at November completion |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/majerhat-bridge-looks-at-july-completion/articleshow/74421424.cms|access-date=2020-06-19|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> The new bridge was opened on 4 December 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-04|title=2 yrs after Majerhat tragedy, CM opens new-look 'Jai Hind' bridge|url=https://www.thestatesman.com/cities/kolkata/2-yrs-majerhat-tragedy-cm-opens-new-look-jai-hind-bridge-1502938944.html|access-date=2020-12-04|website=The Statesman|language=en-US}}</ref> It was named the Jai Hind Bridge after the [[Jai Hind]] slogan used by [[Subhas Chandra Bose]], commemorating his 125th birthday anniversary.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2020-12-02|title=To mark Subhas Chandra Bose's 125th birth anniversary, new Majerhat bridge named 'Jai Hind'|url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/politics/to-mark-subhas-chandra-boses-125th-birth-anniversary-new-majerhat-bridge-named-jai-hind-7617461.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204092953/https://www.cnbctv18.com/politics/to-mark-subhas-chandra-boses-125th-birth-anniversary-new-majerhat-bridge-named-jai-hind-7617461.htm|archive-date=2020-12-04|access-date=2020-12-04|website=CNBC-TV18}}</ref>

Later [[Majerhat metro station]] was also completed and opened on 6 March 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bangla News, Latest Bengali News, News in Bangla, বাংলা নিউজ – HT Bangla|url=https://bangla.hindustantimes.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127171914/https://bangla.hindustantimes.com/|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 November 2019|access-date=2021-11-21|website=Hindustantimes Bangla|language=bn}}</ref>

==Reactions==
* [[Mamata Banerjee]], [[Chief Minister of West Bengal]] – said after the accident that the priorities are relief and rescue with the investigation commencing later. She also announced a compensation of {{INRConvert|5|l|year=2018}} to the family of each deceased, and {{₹|50000|2018}} each to the injured.<ref name="2018-09-04-yahoo-compensation" /><ref name="2018-09-04-fp" />
* [[Narendra Modi]], [[Prime Minister of India]] – tweeted that the loss of lives in the collapse is deeply unfortunate.<ref name="2018-09-05-hindustan-times" />
* [[Rajnath Singh]], [[Union Home Minister]] – stated that the bridge collapse incident in Kolkata is extremely tragic.<ref name="2018-09-04-hindu" />
* The [[Rail Vikas Nigam Limited]] project manager for the nearby [[Purple Line (Kolkata Metro)|Purple Line]] construction works, has denied the metro construction led to the bridge collapse.<ref name="2018-09-05-TOI-TNN-red-flags" />

==See also==
* [[Kolkata flyover collapse]]
* [[Concerns and controversies over the 2010 Commonwealth Games#Infrastructural fallures|2010 Commonwealth Games footbridge collapse in Delhi]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em
|refs=
<ref name="2018-09-04-TOI">{{cite news |first1=PTI|last1=PTI|title=Bridge in busy Kolkata locality collapses, one killed – Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/portion-of-bridge-collapses-in-kolkatas-majerjhat-several-feared-trapped/articleshow/65671674.cms |accessdate=4 September 2018 |work=The Times of India |agency=PTI |date=4 September 2018}}</ref>
<ref name="2018-09-04-HT">{{cite news |last1= |first1= |title=Many feared trapped in Majerhat Kolkata bridge collapse |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/videos/india-news/many-feared-trapped-in-majerhat-kolkata-bridge-collapse/video-bTcv8td63Zho9TmoGOWyvN.html |accessdate=4 September 2018|work=[[Hindustan Times]] |language=en |date=4 September 2018}}</ref>
<ref name="2018-09-04-NDTV">{{cite news |last1=Sanyal |first1=Anindita |title=Second Bridge Collapse in 3 Years in Kolkata, One Dead: 10 Points |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/second-bridge-collapse-in-3-years-in-kolkata-one-dead-10-points-1911308 |accessdate=4 September 2018 |work=NDTV.com |date=4 September 2018}}</ref>
<ref name="2016-04-02-CNNIBN">{{cite news |last1=News18 |first1=News18 |title=Kolkata bridge collapse: Toll reaches 27 after rescue workers pull out 3 more bodies |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/kolkata-bridge-collapse-toll-reaches-27-after-rescue-workers-pull-out-3-more-bodies-1224481.html |accessdate=4 September 2018 |work=News18}}</ref>
<ref name="2010-06-28-TOI">{{cite news |title=After Taratala crack, subsidence in Majerhat bridge |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/After-Taratala-crack-subsidence-in-Majerhat-bridge/articleshow/6225197.cms |accessdate=5 September 2018 |work=Times of India|date=28 June 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="2018-09-05-TOI-whats-wrong">{{cite news |title=Kolkata Majerhat Bridge collapse: What's wrong with India's bridges? |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/kolkata-majerhat-bridge-collapse-whats-wrong-with-indias-bridges/articleshow/65682858.cms |accessdate=5 September 2018 |work=Times of India|date=5 September 2018}}</ref>
<ref name="2018-09-05-TOI-tales">{{cite news |title=Kolkata: Tales of tragedy and miracle from crash site |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/ultadanga-posta-majerhat-tales-of-tragedy-and-miracle-from-crash-site/articleshow/65679247.cms |accessdate=5 September 2018 |work=Times of India|date=5 September 2018}}</ref>
<ref name="2018-09-05-TOI-search">{{cite news |title=Kolkata bridge collapse: Search operations continue for survivors |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/kolkata-bridge-collapse-search-operations-continue-for-survivors/articleshow/65683104.cms |accessdate=5 September 2018 |publisher=TOI |date=5 September 2018}}</ref>
<ref name="2018-09-05-TOI-TNN-red-flags">{{cite news |last1=Ghosh |first1=Dwaipayan |last2=Konar |first2=Debasis |title=Kolkata bridge collapse: PWD ignored multiple red flags |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/kolkata-bridge-collapse-pwd-ignored-multiple-red-flags/articleshow/65679150.cms |accessdate=5 September 2018 |agency=TNN |work=Times of India|date=5 September 2018}}</ref>
<ref name="2018-09-04-TOI-railways">{{cite news |title=Majherhat bridge collapse sends road traffic haywire, train services hit |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/bridge-collapse-sends-road-traffic-haywire-train-services-hit/articleshow/65673447.cms |accessdate=5 September 2018 |agency=PTI |work=Times of India|date=4 September 2018}}</ref>
<ref name="2018-09-04-ie">[https://indianexpress.com/photos/india-news/pictures-of-majerhat-bridge-collapse-in-kolkata-5339589/ "Kolkata's Majerhat bridge collapses, rescue operation underway"], Indian Express. Retrieved 4 September 2018</ref>
<ref name="2018-09-04-uk-express">[https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1012832/india-bridge-collapse-kolkata-bridge-collapse-majerhat-calcutta/amp "India bridge collapse: Many feared dead as major Kolkata bridge collapses during rush hour"]. Retrieved 4 September 2018</ref>
<ref name="2018-09-04-ie-live">{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/majerhat-bridge-collapses-live-updates-in-south-kolkata-several-injured/|title=Kolkata Majerhat Bridge Collapse Live Updates|website=indianexpress.com|date=4 September 2018 |access-date=4 September 2018}}</ref>
<ref name="2018-09-04-yahoo-compensation">[https://in.news.yahoo.com/video/portion-kolkatas-prominent-majerhat-bridge-132400706.html "Portion of Kolkata's prominent Majerhat Bridge collapses, many feared trapped"]. Retrieved 4 September 2018</ref>
<ref name="2018-09-04-fp">{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/majerhat-bridge-collapse-blame-game-begins-over-kolkata-mishap-as-opposition-alleges-callousness-towards-maintenance-5114981.html|title=Majerhat bridge collapse: Blame game begins over Kolkata mishap as Opposition alleges 'callousness' towards maintenance|date=4 September 2018 |access-date=4 September 2018}}</ref>
<ref name="2018-09-04-NDTV-2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bridge-collapses-in-south-kolkata-many-feared-trapped-1911189|title=1 Dead in South Kolkata Bridge Collapse|website=ndtv.com|access-date=4 September 2018}}</ref>
<ref name="2018-09-05-telegraph-metro-worker">{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/crushing-timing-bridge-cash-flowstoll-up-metro-worker-found-dead-257305|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906010411/https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/crushing-timing-bridge-cash-flowstoll-up-metro-worker-found-dead-257305|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 September 2018|title=Crushing timing: bridge cash flows|work=The Telegraph|access-date=5 September 2018|language=en}}</ref>
<ref name="2018-09-06-telegraph-cook">{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/no-room-for-repairs-complains-mamata-257548|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907070214/https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/no-room-for-repairs-complains-mamata-257548|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 September 2018|title=No room for repairs, complains Mamata|work=The Telegraph|access-date=6 September 2018|language=en}}</ref>
<ref name="2018-09-05-hindustan-times">{{cite news |title=Kolkata's Majerhat bridge collapse Higlights: Five NDRF team rush to spot |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kolkata-s-majerhat-bridge-collapse-live-mangled-cars-buried-under-debris-rescue-work-on/story-0DcrlC6B2wYwoeXYh7IDCK.html |accessdate=5 September 2018 |agency=Hindustan Times |work=Hindustan Times|date=5 September 2018}}</ref>
<ref name="2018-09-04-hindu">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/kolkatas-majerhat-bridge-collapse-live-updates/article24864440.ece|title=Kolkata's Majerhat bridge collapse {{!}} Updates: One killed, at least six trapped under debris|website=The Hindu|date=4 September 2018 |access-date=4 September 2018}}</ref>
<ref name="2018-09-06-hindu">{{cite news |title=Kolkata bridge collapse death toll rises to three |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/kolkata-bridge-collapse-death-toll-rises-to-three/article24884744.ece |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=The Hindu|date=6 September 2018}}</ref>
<ref name="2018-09-07-toi-repair">{{cite news |title=Majerhat bridge: PWD owns up, says should have avoided repair shortcuts |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/pwd-owns-up-says-should-have-avoided-repair-shortcuts/articleshow/65713171.cms |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=The Times of India|date=7 September 2018}}</ref>
<ref name="2018-09-07-toi-road-diversion">{{cite news |title=Collapse effect: Rattle of a ride on alternative routes – Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/collapse-effect-rattle-of-a-ride-on-alternative-routes/articleshow/65713383.cms |accessdate=7 September 2018 |work=The Times of India|date=7 September 2018}}</ref>
<ref name="2018-09-24-toi">{{cite news |last1=Konar |first1=Debasis |title=Under-construction bridge collapses in West Bengal |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/under-construction-bridge-collapses-in-west-bengal/articleshow/65930905.cms |accessdate=26 September 2018 |work=The Times of India|date=24 September 2018}}</ref>
<ref name="2018-09-16-telegraph">{{cite news |last1=Mandal |first1=Sanjay |title=Crash blame on pollution, flab |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/crash-blame-on-pollution-flab/cid/1668848 |accessdate=26 September 2018 |work=telegraphindia.com |publisher=Telegraph India |date=16 September 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
<ref name="2018-09-11-toi">{{cite news |last1=Ghosh |first1=Dwaipayan |title=Majerhat bridge: Forensics blame it on maintenance but cops pursue Metro piling angle – Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/majerhat-bridge-forensics-blame-it-on-maintenance-but-cops-pursue-metro-piling-angle/articleshow/65761853.cms |accessdate=26 September 2018 |work=The Times of India|date=11 September 2018}}</ref>
<ref name="2018-09-04-quint">{{cite news |last1=Saran |first1=Mekhala |title=Majerhat Bridge Was Hastily Repaired: Month's Work Done in a Night |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/majerhat-bridge-collapse-maintenance-repair-details |accessdate=26 September 2018 |work=The Quint |publisher=The Quint |date=4 September 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
}}

{{Disasters in India in 2018}}

[[Category:2018 disasters in India]]
[[Category:2018 road incidents in Asia|Kolkata bridge collapse]]
[[Category:Bridge disasters in India]]
[[Category:Bridge disasters caused by construction error]]
[[Category:Disasters in West Bengal]]
[[Category:2010s in Kolkata]]
[[Category:September 2018 in India]]
[[Category:Building and structure collapses in 2018]]
[[Category:Road incidents in India]]
[[Category:Building and structure collapses in India]]
[[Category:Bridge collapses]]

2018 Kolkata bridge collapse - Revision history

BootTPP at 18:04, 5 February 2026