Latest news with #IndianGems
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Man roasts authorities over electric poles planted in the middle of Himachal road, calls it ‘tourist attraction'; netizens demand ‘21 topo ki salami'
A bizarre video doing the rounds online shows electric poles sticking out right in the middle of a road, prompting concerns about commuter safety. But what's really grabbing attention is the man behind the camera, who turns the strange scene into a comedy sketch, roasting the authorities in a sarcastic tirade. Claiming to have come 'all the way from Haryana' just to witness this absurdity, the man doesn't hold back. He calls the poles an innovative way to test drivers' reflexes and decision-making. 'Yahan logon ki driving ki quality bhi test ho rahi hai' (Here, people's quality of driving is also being tested), he says, before taking a dig at Bihar: 'Bihar walon ne toh ped lagaye the lekin Himachal wale keh rahe hain ki hum toh khambe uga denge' (People in Bihar planted trees, but those in Himachal are saying they'll grow electric poles). He also said that the place should be declared a tourist destination, calling it a marvel of modern engineering. 'Jo peeke gaadi chalate hain, jinko dikhta nahi hai idhar udhar, unhe bhi dikhe ga yeh khamba centre mei' (Those who drive drunk, those who can't see left or right, even they will notice this pole in the center), he says. Engineers forgot to remove an electric pole while constructing a road in Himachal Pradesh. Engineering Marvel at Best 🤡 — 🚨Indian Gems (@IndianGems_) July 14, 2025 The Internet, of course, ran wild with reactions. One user fumed, 'How can they forget to remove? This is how lazy the bureaucracy is. There is no coordination between departments.' Another said, 'This technology should not go outside the country. We are miles ahead of other nations in creating such engineering marvels.' Some comments even took a swipe at the qualifications of those responsible: 'They must have received their degrees during Covid,' wrote one user. 'Kisne banaya yeh mujasema, kya karigari hai, 21 topo ki salami di jaye inhe' (Who made this statue, what craftsmanship, give them a 21-gun salute), commented another user. This isn't the first time a public construction has gone viral for all the wrong reasons. Just recently, a newly constructed railway overbridge near Aishbagh Stadium in Bhopal came under fire, not for delays or cost overruns, but for its unusual 90-degree curve immediately after the incline. Designed to ease congestion for nearly three lakh commuters, the Rs 18-crore project ended up stirring controversy over its design. While the Congress slammed the layout, PWD Minister Rakesh Singh brushed it off as political noise but assured that the design would be reviewed.
India.com
09-07-2025
- General
- India.com
Gujarat Bridge Collapse: How Authorities Kept Ignoring Red Flags Leading To Loss Of Lives
The collapse of a 40-year-old bridge in Gujarat has claimed nine lives. While the political leaders are busy condoling the loss of lives and announcing compensation, the bridge was a 'disaster-in-waiting'. However, reports suggest that this tragedy was invited by authorities as they kept ignoring the red flags. Several citizens and local news channels have highlighted the dilapidated condition of the bridge, but officials paid no heed to it. A local Gujarati outlet had already reported in Apr 2025 about the poor condition of the Gambhira bridge that collapsed today, killing 10. It should have been shut to traffic back then for proper inspection and either repaired or decommissioned. Several other people too have… — THE SKIN DOCTOR (@theskindoctor13) July 9, 2025 This is yet another tragedy in Gujarat after the devastating Morbi bridge collapse. ?75,689 crore allocated to Gujarat for overall infrastructure in 2024 ?550 Crore Specifically to Bridge maintenance after Morbi incident Warning was given by People about poor condition of Gambhira bridge No action was taken Who will get arrested now? — ??Indian Gems (@IndianGems_) July 9, 2025 While the Gujarat government has kept aside Rs 500 crore for bridge maintenance and repairs, the officials appear to have been waiting for yet another tragedy to wake them up. Across the world, critical infrastructures like bridges and flyovers are subjected to regular checks and timely maintenance. But in Gujarat, Babus have left everything to fate. The Gambhira Bridge, in use since 1985, had long been in a deteriorating condition and posed a serious risk. Acting on the recommendation of local BJP MLA Chaitanyasinh Zala, the state government had sanctioned the construction of a new bridge. A survey was carried out, and preparations for the new structure were underway. Meanwhile, the existing bridge underwent repairs and continued to remain open for public use. However, local residents reported that it would shake alarmingly whenever vehicles passed over it. There have been multiple social media posts about the dilapidated condition of the Gambhira bridge over the Mahisagar River, connecting Vadodara and Anand districts of Gujarat. However, all these requests seeking an inspection and maintenance were ignored. Now, the question is - Who is responsible for this 'man-made' tragedy? Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said that an inquiry has been ordered in the case. "Orders have been issued to the Roads and Buildings Department for an immediate investigation into the incident. A team comprising the Chief Engineer (Design), the Chief Engineer (South Gujarat), and two private engineers who are experts in bridge construction has been instructed to reach the site immediately, conduct a preliminary inquiry into the cause of the collapse and other technical aspects, and submit a report," he said. But isn't it too late? Leader of Congress Legislative Party - Gujarat, Amit Chavda, said that there has been a demand for a new bridge on the river to replace the old one, but the government ignored it. "Thousands of young people commute daily across this bridge for employment, and traffic from all over Saurashtra passes through here. We have been consistently raising the demand that the condition of this bridge is not good and that it needs to be repaired. Given the age of the bridge, it was repeatedly stated that its time limit was about to expire. In such a case, a new bridge should have been constructed, but the government did not listen to anyone. Today's accident is the result of the Gujarat government's negligence, and the BJP government is responsible for the lives lost. We demand an investigation into this matter. The Gujarat government should conduct an audit of all the bridges in the state and make their fitness certificates public," said Chavda. Vadodara Superintendent of Police (SP) Rohan Anand said that nine people have died and nine others have been rescued following the collapse of a slab on the Gambhira bridge in the Padra area of Gujarat's Vadodara district. He said that a 10-15 metre slab in the middle of the bridge had collapsed. Two trucks, two pickup vans, and a rickshaw fell into the river while two vehicles remained stranded on the bridge. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of the deceased in the Vadodara bridge collapse. The injured would be given Rs 50,000. PM Modi paid condolences to the families of the deceased.
