In a tragic incident in Budaun, Uttar Pradesh, four engineers belonging to the Public Works Department (PWD) are facing an FIR due to their alleged negligence that resulted in the death of three individuals. The incident occurred when a vehicle unexpectedly fell from an under-construction bridge, leading to severe consequences. This complaint was officially documented at the Dataganj police station on Monday by Nayab Tehsildar Chaviram.

The FIR identifies assistant engineers Mohd Arif and Abhishek Kumar, along with junior engineers Ajay Gangwar and Maharaj Singh, alongside an unidentified individual, all associated with the Budaun branch of the PWD. According to the police report, the vehicle fell due to misleading navigation directions, which did not warn about the hazardous condition of the bridge.

The specific location of the accident was a bridge situated in the village of Faridpur that spans the Ramganga River. Issues arose due to an open and unmaintained section of the bridge on the Bareilly side, which has remained in disrepair since it was damaged in the floods of 2023.

The FIR highlights that the engineers were aware of the dangers posed by the unbarriered section of the bridge but failed to take any preventive measures. Chaviram's complaint states, “The officials neglected to install necessary barriers or reflectors to warn drivers, showing a blatant disregard for public safety.”

On the day of the tragic event, November 24, three individuals lost their lives while traveling in a car, plate number UP 14 HT 3094, after being misled by a navigation application that did not indicate any obstacles on the road. The FIR has been registered under section 105 of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which allows for legal actions against negligent officials.

A senior official from the PWD clarified that while the bridge was previously operational, it was under construction due to flood damage. The absence of barricades posed an unnecessary risk, and their implementation is critical to prevent any accidental incursions onto unsafe structures.

Ashish Yadav, the general secretary of the UP Engineers’ Association, stressed the need for stringent requirements in all contracts for bridges undergoing construction or repair. He advocated for the inclusion of safety measure clauses and proper allocation of funds for these important safety initiatives.

This incident has brought to light significant issues regarding infrastructure safety and accountability within government departments. It serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of negligence in public works, urging immediate attention to the safety protocols associated with bridge maintenance and construction across India.