Political blame game over Kolkata flyover collapse, Mamata says construction began during CPM rule

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today refused to take the blame for the collapse of a flyover in north Kolkata's Girish Park area that claimed at least 21 lives and left several injured.

Mamata Banerjee said that the "construction began on flyover in 2008, during CPM time not our time". "The tender was passed in 2009 by the erstwhile Left Front government and was given to Hyderabad-based IVRCL Construction," Banerjee said.

In pics: Under-construction flyover collapses in Kolkata

She alleged that IVRCL had not provided the West Bengal government details of the construction plan despite several reminders.

"It's nothing but a God's act" was how a senior official of IVRCL reacted and denied any quality or technical issue as the cause behind the incident "as of now".

"It's nothing but a God's act. So far in 27 years we have constructed several number of bridges... it never happened," K Panduranga Rao, Group Head (HR and Admin) of the Hyderabad-based company said.

Mamata Banerjee arrived at the flyover collapse site after cancelling a political rally for the upcoming state Assembly polls. Instructing the police on a loudspeaker for the rescue work, she said, "Our main focus is to rescue those who are trapped."

Responding to demands by the Opposition for a CBI enquiry, Mamata said that her first focus is on rescue operations and she "will see about future course of action later."

"This is a very serious incident, law will take its course," she said.

Kolkata flyover collapse LIVE: Tragedy an act of god, says builder

Mamata Banerjee also announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the dead and Rs 2 lakh each for those critically injured. She also announced Rs 1 lakh for those who suffered minor injuries in the mishap.

Earlier in the day, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held the Mamata Banerjee government responsible for the tragedy and demanded strict action against people associated with the flyover.

"Mamata ji's govt is responsible for this. We want action to be initiated against the ministers and people associated," said Kailash Vijayvargiya, BJP in-charge in West Bengal.

The Army has deployed four columns of rescue personnel at the site of the mishap. One Engineering team of the Army has also been pressed to service.

At least 18 people are confirmed dead and over 50 injured after an under-construction flyover collapsed in north Kolkata's Girish Park area. A 140-tonne crane brought to the scene was unable to lift the concrete slab under which many people were feared trapped, including passengers in a minibus.

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