Letter.

Letter Published inThe National UAE on4 Nov 22 Deadly bridge collapse was avoidable With reference to Taniya Dutta's article India's deadly bridge collapse probably caused by rusty cables (November 2): It was very sad to read about the avoidable deaths caused by the bridge collapse in India's western Gujarat state. There are questions about laxity and improper maintenance of public infrastructure. It is reckless to have opened the bridge without the necessary safety checks. The 233-metre bridge from the time of the British regime killed more than 135 people. The nine people including ticket-booking clerks who have been arrested is a small comfort to shattered families. Complete accountability needs to be sought of how things could have come to such a head. The human stories, about those who lost their lives in the accident, including the 35 young children, are heartbreaking. It is suspicious also why renovation work was contracted to a clock manufacturer. How could the authorities have assumed rusty cables would not be a serious security hazard? Whatever be the compensation bestowed to victims' kin, lives won't come back. I pray for the departed souls and hope there is strict action taken so accidents such as these never happen again. K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India