The city-based IVRCL which was constructing the flyover in Kolkata, a portion of which collapsed yesterday killing 24 people, today described the incident as an "accident" which was under "no one's control", a day after another official of the company had dubbed it as an "act of God".
"It is an accident," IVRCL officials here claimed, contending that there were no issues with regard to quality of construction of the flyover that collapsed.
"...100 per cent no issues with regard to quality. It is the same material that was used for the 60th section (which collapsed), that was used for the 59 sections after approval ...Unfortunately it collapsed," IVRCL's legal team head P Sita told reporters here.
"We are not aware how it happened...We want to know the reason why it (collapse) happened. We will cooperate with the investigation agencies...We are anxious to know why it happened, we want to know the reasons," she said.
"IVRCL will cooperate with all the authorities in investigating this accident. We are trying to ascertain the reasons for the occurrence of this accident. We have asked all our officials concerned to be available with the investigating authorities," she said.
On IVRCL's Group Head (HR & Admin) K Panduranga Rao commenting that the "collapse was nothing but God's act" which had evoked strong criticism, Sita said, "Act of God" is just an expression used to describe that "it is under no one's control".
"It is just an expression. We are extremely shocked by this incident," she said.
Asked about the arrival of Kolkata Police to Hyderabad as part of investigation into the case after an FIR was lodged against the company, she said, "So far, we have no information on that...They have not contacted us so far."
She further said, "We did not get the necessary approvals on time...The delay does not happen only on the contractor side. The delay happens due to various reasons for the project to be executed. You cannot label anyone person, that this person is only the reason for delay. Sub-contracts were awarded after following norms."
"The legal team is supporting the investigation. There are various versions and we do not know. Investigation should continue and they have to decide. Investigation takes time to come to a conclusion," she replied, when asked if they suspect any sabotage angle behind the incident.
