Morbi bridge tragedy: Ajanta wall clock maker Oreva under scanner

Gujarat-based Oreva Group, which makes popular wall clocks, CFL bulbs, and e-bikes, has come under scanner after a horrific incident of a suspension bridge collapse in the Morbi district on Sunday evening, in which at least 130 people lost lives.

The 100-year-old suspension bridge, also known as ‘Jhoolta Pool’, over the Machchhu river was closed for repair around seven months back. In March this year, the Oreva group, which allegedly has no expertise in bridge construction, was awarded the 15-year maintenance & management contract by the Morbi municipality. According to reports, on Gujarati New Year's Day on October 26, the bridge was reopened for the public without receiving a fitness certificate from the municipality. The incident happened around 6.30 pm on Sunday when more than 150 people were on the bridge.

The Gujarat police have also filed an FIR (first information report) in the case against agencies managing the bridge. The cops alleged the management agency's failure to ensure quality checks led to the unfortunate death of 130 people. Questions are also being raised on the municipal committee's role, which awarded the contract and allowed it to reopen without allegedly giving a ‘fitness certificate’.

The Ahmedabad-based Oreva group is a diversified group, which also makes home appliances, battery-operated bikes, lighting products and electronic products like telephones, LED TVs and calculators. Its flagship brand Ajanta makes all kinds of clocks, electrical & lighting products, calculators, telephones and home appliances.

The company, which claims to have a turnover of ₹800 crore, employs over 6,000 people. It also operates one of the largest manufacturing plants spread over 200 acres at Samakhiyali, Kutch District, Gujarat. Oreva’s It's another firm ORPAT group works in three major areas – electronics, home appliances and green energy. Dubbed the father of wall clocks, Oreva founder Odhavji Raghavji Patel died at the age of 87 in October 2012. The company, which was founded five decades back, claims its products are sold in over 45 nations.

The company has not come out with an official statement on the issue so far. However, a news agency quoted a group spokesperson as saying that the bridge collapsed because too many people in the mid-section of the bridge were trying to sway it from one way to the other.

As per the Gujarat tourism department's website, the suspension bridge, which was constructed in the 19th century, has been described as an "artistic and technological marvel" of that period. Morbi’s former ruler Sir Waghji, inspired by Colonial influences, designed a technologically planned and versatile city, it says.

Meanwhile, PM Modi, who'll visit the district tomorrow, has said he's deeply saddened by the tragedy at Morbi. "Talked to Gujarat Chief Minister Shri @Bhupendrapbjp and other officials about this. Relief and rescue operations are going on in full swing and all necessary assistance is being provided to the affected."