Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is touring election-bound Gujarat, will visit Morbi on Tuesday after at least 134 people were killed following the collapse of a suspension bridge into the Machchhu river.
“I express my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the accident. In this hour of grief, the government stands with the families of the victims in every way,” Modi said, adding that the Centre will provide all necessary assistance to the state government in carrying out the rescue operation.
The government has already announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of each deceased person.
A team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed while the Army and Air Force personnel have also sprung into action. Meanwhile, a five-member committee comprising bureaucrats and police officers has been appointed by the Gujarat government to probe into the incident.
“I assure the people of the country that there will be no let up in relief and rescue operations,” the Prime Minister said.
In the wake of the accident, Modi canceled his roadshow in Ahmedabad. Earlier, he also spoke with the CM and other officials.
The BJP Gujarat media cell said, “The Page Committee Sneh Milan program to be held in the virtual presence of Prime Minister Modi has been postponed.” Speaking to news agency ANI, BJP Gujarat media convenor Dr Yagnesh Dave said there will be no programmes of celebration on Monday in wake of the Morbi tragedy where many are feared dead, including women, children, and the elderly.
“I am in Ekta Nagar, but my mind is with the victims of Morbi. Rarely, in my life, would I have experienced such pain. On one hand, there is a pain-riddled heart and on the other hand, there is the path to duty,” Modi said whilea ddressing people at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat’s Kevadia where he paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary. Appealing to the people to be united during this tragic time, he said we need to take inspiration from Sardar Patel, who carried his work despite facing challenges from all quarters.
