AMC Subhash Bridge Reconstruction: Congress Alleges ₹300 Crore Contract Given To Debarred Firm Under Single Tender

A major storm erupted inside the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) general board meeting after opposition Congress leaders produced evidence alleging that the ₹300-crore Subhash Bridge reconstruction contract was handed to a previously debarred firm, Dineshchandra R. Agarwal Infracon, via a questionable single-tender process.

Former Opposition Leader Shehzadkhan Pathan launched a scathing attack on the civic body, questioning why AMC officials selected a contractor that faced past bans and ignored competing bids without conducting essential safety and load tests on the damaged structure.

Debarred Firm Handed Mega Project Via Single Tender

The controversy centers on the decision to award the reconstruction of the iconic Subhash Bridge across the Sabarmati River. The bridge was abruptly shut down on December 4, 2025, after a visible crack appeared along its span. While initial plans projected a ₹241-crore expenditure, Congress leaders claim the final project cost will escalate to nearly ₹300 crore.

Pointing to past records, Shehzadkhan Pathan revealed that Dineshchandra R. Agarwal Infracon had been debarred for 20 years in 1997. Pathan questioned why the civic administration approved a single tender without investigating the firm's past track record. He alleged that although another contractor submitted a competitive bid, municipal officials deliberately refrained from opening the second price bid to push through the single-tender approval, setting up a framework for future cost overruns.

Defending the administration, Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani clarified that the company's debarment period, which was imposed by the Gujarat Water Supply and Sewerage Board (GWSSB), had ended in 2017. However, Pathan slammed the defense, asking whether the administration would buy a vehicle from the same manufacturer if a previous car had failed them, stressing that past controversies should have disqualified the firm. Mayor Hitesh Barot also stepped in to defend the civic administration's process.

No Technical Tests Conducted Before Demolition

Congress leaders further accused the AMC Bridge Department of completely bypassing mandatory structural checks. Pathan alleged that officials failed to carry out Ultrasonic, loading, Rebound Hammer, or underwater inspections before declaring the bridge unsalvageable. Furthermore, instructions from the state government mandating pre-monsoon and post-monsoon structural audits for all bridges were ignored, with the department failing to present an official technical report.

The opposition also drew parallels to the infamous Hatkeshwar Bridge scandal, where a recently constructed overpass had to be demolished due to poor quality, yet no penalty was recovered from the contractor, Ajay Infra.

The board meeting also witnessed heated exchanges over civic transparency. Khadia councillor Iliyas Khan Pathan accused AMC officials of withholding information regarding World Heritage City assets, while Darijapur councillor Nirav Bakshi highlighted the deplorable physical condition of municipal schools inspected by newly appointed board members.