Hatkeshwar Bridge, Ahmedabad (img: File)

Updated on Oct 10, 8.30 p.m.

Hatkeshwar bridge will only be partially demolished

The Ahmedabad Municipal corporation’s bridge project department has issued a statement today that only a span of the bridge will be demolished. The statement was issued after opposition leaders urged the Mayor Pratibha Jain for clarification over the bridge demolition.

Amid concerns over structural integrity of Hatkeshwar bridge situated in the Khokhra locality of the city, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has announced to dismantle and rebuild the controversial bridge.

To kick-start this project, the civic body is set to invite tenders from construction companies for the reconstruction of the bridge while ensuring the complete demolition of the existing structure. The tender process is anticipated to commence shortly.

Plans to renovate the porous Hatkeshwar bridge

Inaugurated for public use back in 2017, the bridge’s journey has been marred by recurring structural concerns.

The forthcoming process is designed to engage various companies in proposing innovative designs for the comprehensive deconstruction of the existing bridge and the subsequent construction of a new one in its place.

The selected company will evaluate the feasibility of retaining any of the current bridge’s pillars or whether an entire demolition is warranted.

This decision will naturally shape the project’s design and its corresponding cost. Municipal commissioner M Thennarasan revealed this development to the public.

The course of action ahead involves a comprehensive approach. As advised by several expert committees, the entire superstructure of the bridge will undergo complete demolition and subsequent reconstruction. These crucial tasks will be carried out simultaneously, ensuring efficiency and minimising disruption. The expenses incurred for the rebuilding endeavour will be borne by the company undertaking the construction process.

IIT Roorkee committee recommends the reconstruction

The decision to overhaul the Hatkeshwar Bridge stems from the findings of an inquiry committee and the assessment conducted by the prestigious IIT-Roorkee.

These examinations led to the bridge being deemed structurally unfit for public use, eventually prompting its closure in June 2022.

The tale of the falling apart Hatkeshwar Bridge

Comprising a total of eight spans, with the main span measuring 42 metres and the remaining spans measuring 33 metres each, the bridge has faced multiple instances of significant gaps and cracks since April 2021.

The concrete surface of the bridge exhibited detachment issues in multiple locations, necessitating immediate intervention.

(Source: IANS)

-Edited for style

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