“Hundreds” were potentially rescued from a 60-foot long iron bridge over a sewer collapse that killed one woman in north Delhi’s Roop Nagar area. Local residents noted that the incident could have been much worse as the route is frequently used by hundreds of students attending at least four government schools.
The collapse happened around 9:30 a.m., prompting a call to the police who alerted police and paramedics.
“By that time, most students had already crossed the bridge to reach their schools, potentially saving hundreds of people from being on the structure when it collapsed,” a local woman was quoted as saying by PTI.
Police said the deceased, a woman estimated to be in her 50s who was believed to be begging, was near one end of the bridge when it gave way. Rescue teams later pulled her body from the drain.
A local resident said, “Had it collapsed an hour earlier, the consequences could have been very deadly,” noting that hundreds of students use the bridge between 7:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. daily.
Officials from Delhi Fire Service, National Disaster Response Force and Delhi Police conducted a joint rescue operation. Several fire trucks were dispatched to the scene and the area was cordoned off to prevent further accidents.
Authorities said the bridge had previously been declared unsafe and closed to the public. However, residents said it continues to be used regularly as there is no suitable alternative route.
The bridge connects Gur Mandi to Roop Nagar and acts as an important shortcut that reduces travel time by around 30 minutes and distance by at least one kilometer for students going to nearby government schools.
Officials said the bridge was under the jurisdiction of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department. They added that barricades had been installed to prevent public access. However, residents and students claimed that the warnings were often ignored as the bridge continued to serve as a primary route for daily commuters, especially schoolchildren.
What did the students say?
Zoya, a Class 8 student who attends school from 7:30 am to 2 pm, said the bridge appeared to be unsafe for some time before it finally collapsed.
“The section started to sag and tilt to one side, especially from the direction the water is flowing from, making it uneven and unstable. We avoided holding onto the railing because the netting was torn, and it became even more dangerous to rely on it,” she said.
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She noted that only two or three children could pass through from the Roop Nagar side at a time, often causing crowding during busy school hours.
Other students shared similar experiences, saying the structure shook whenever people stood on it, making daily crossings terrifying. They explained that the bridge swayed frequently, forcing them to move carefully, and even holding onto the railing was not safe as parts of the mesh were damaged, so they were worried about the risk of falling.
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Residents said the collapse occurred at a time that likely averted a much greater tragedy, as the bridge typically sees its heaviest traffic in the early morning hours when students head to school. Pictures from the scene showed the iron structure crumpled into the drain, with parts partially submerged and twisted metal debris scattered nearby.
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Officials said steps are being taken to establish the identity of the deceased woman, while a comprehensive inspection will be carried out to determine the exact cause of the collapse. Police added that the area has been cordoned off and access restricted and that representatives of the concerned department will examine the site to decide on further action.
Local residents have called for the speedy construction of a safe alternative route. Authorities said further measures will follow after the technical assessment of the site is completed.
