Gujarat Government Under Fire As Those Behind Bridge Renovation Disappear

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Morbi today to review relief and rescue operations.

The BJP-led Gujarat government is facing serious allegations of a cover-up in the Morbi bridge collapse, in which 135 people, including 47 children, died. Owners and key executives of Oreva, the private company that was contracted by authorities to renovate the colonial era bridge, have disappeared from public view and the company's sprawling farmhouse lies abandoned, not even a security guard in sight.

Oreva's Managing Director Jaysukhbhai Patel, who had publicly claimed that the renovated bridge will hold up for at least eight to ten years (it collapsed after four days), has not been seen ever since the tragedy, locals told NDTV.

Mr Patel had signed the contract with the Morbi municipal corporation and Ajanta Manufacturing Limited -- Oreva's parent company, which is better knows as a clock-maker.

Nine people -- mid level officials of Oreva, ticket sellers, and security men -- were arrested on Sunday under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).