Korba Steel Bridge Stolen

A 70-foot-long, 10-tonne steel bridge, built over 40 years ago across the Hasdeo Left Canal in India — Korba, India — Chhattisgarh, was stolen overnight between January 17 and 18. Residents of the Dhodhipara area discovered the bridge missing and local corporator Laxman Shrivas lodged a complaint. Police investigations, led by India — Korba Additional Superintendent of Police Lakhan Patle and CSEB police chowki in-charge Bhimsen Yadav, identified 15 individuals involved in the theft, who used gas cutters to dismantle the bridge to sell the iron as scrap. Five suspects—Lochan Kevat, Jaysingh Rajput, Moti Prajapati, Sumit Sahu, and Keshavpuri Goswami—have been arrested and confessed to the crime. Authorities seized about seven tonnes of stolen steel and a vehicle used for transport. A manhunt is underway for the remaining 10 accused, including alleged kingpins Mukesh Sahani and Aslam Khan. The theft has forced residents to use a longer detour via a nearby concrete bridge and also posed a risk to a municipal drinking water pipeline.