Jammu: Working President of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee Raman Bhalla on Thursday demanded a high-level probe into the collapse of a portion of a bridge in the Bantalab area on the outskirts of Jammu, which left several labourers trapped and resulted in loss of lives.
Expressing shock and anguish over the incident, Bhalla termed the tragedy “deeply disturbing and unacceptable,” alleging serious lapses in planning, supervision, and safety compliance at the work site. He extended condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
Raising concerns over the timing of the incident on International Labour Day, Bhalla questioned why labourers were engaged in hazardous work on a day meant to honour workers’ rights and welfare. He said the incident raises serious questions about enforcement of labour laws and safety standards.
Calling for a time-bound inquiry, he urged that accountability be fixed at all levels, including contractors, executing agencies, and supervising authorities. “Accountability must not end on paper. Those responsible for compromising worker safety must face legal consequences,” he said.
Highlighting the role of labourers in infrastructure development, Bhalla stressed that their lives cannot be treated as expendable and called for systemic reforms to prevent such incidents. He advocated mandatory structural safety audits before repair works, strict adherence to engineering protocols, and deployment of trained personnel at high-risk sites.
He also urged the government to enforce compulsory safety measures, including provision of protective gear, supervision by qualified engineers, and real-time monitoring of construction activities. He called for a robust emergency response mechanism at project sites to ensure swift rescue and medical aid in case of accidents.
Demanding justice for the victims, Bhalla sought immediate and adequate compensation for the next of kin of those who lost their lives, along with long-term rehabilitation measures such as government jobs for eligible family members, financial assistance, and educational support for children.
He further proposed the establishment of a dedicated labour welfare oversight mechanism to regularly inspect construction sites and ensure compliance with safety norms.
Bhalla said the tragedy should serve as a reminder for authorities to prioritise human lives and urged the administration to expedite rescue efforts and extend all necessary support to affected families while ensuring such incidents do not recur.
