AMC inspection report raises concerns, Subhash Bridge inspection ignored due to presence of bats

After the Gambhira Bridge incident in Vadodara, all cities across Gujarat were instructed to carry out inspections of their bridges. Following these directions, the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) conducted inspections and submitted a report on July 9. The report has now revealed that the inspection of the box portion of Subhash Bridge was not carried out due to the presence of bats beneath the structure.

This revelation comes in the wake of cracks detected in Subhash Bridge, following which the bridge has been closed to commuters from December 4 to December 25.

According to the AMC report, although 99 bridges were claimed to have been inspected, the box portion of Subhash Bridge remained unchecked because bats were found in the lower section. Despite the incomplete inspection, the bridge was certified as safe, raising serious questions about the credibility and thoroughness of the inspection process.

During an AMC board meeting, opposition leader Shehzad Khan Pathan alleged that the same agency, run by Pankaj Patel, was repeatedly awarded bridge inspection contracts. He further claimed that the agency had declared bridges safe even when inspections were not conducted properly, raising serious concerns over accountability and public safety.