Flyover collapse: Rajnath Singh directs NDRF to engage all resources

NEW DELHI: Home Minister Rajnath Singh today directed the NDRF to engage all its resources for rescue of those trapped under the debris of an under-construction bridge which collapsed in Kolkata.

The Home Minister told Director General of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) O P Singh to send adequate rescue personnel so that all trapped people could be saved, official sources said.

Singh is currently touring West Bengal to campaign for BJP candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.

They said the NDRF DG also apprised the Minister about the situation arising out of the bridge collapse and the steps taken so far.

In a statement, Singh said, he was deeply saddened to know that precious lives have been lost in the Kolkata accident.

"My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased," he said.

Two teams of the NDRF comprising about 80 personnel have been rushed to the flyover collapse spot.

The NDRF DG said that the teams are being sent from their local base at Rajarhat, near the Kolkata airport.

The accident spot is about 13 kms from the NDRF base.

"The teams are well equipped to immediately conduct rescue operations. They will do that exactly as soon as they reach," DG Singh said.