The Gujarat High Court reprimanded the government and Gondal municipality for delayed work on the city’s two dilapidated heritage bridges on Feb 16.

In a hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL), Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Aniruddha P Mayee remarked that the authorities were merely willing to pass time and demanded a specific timeline to finish the repair works.

The affidavit submitted by the state mentioned that a letter was written to the principal secretary of sports, youth, and cultural activities regarding the requirement of services from the archaeological department to initiate the repair works.

To which the HC questioned, “How is the youth and sports department a competent authority? What kind of approach is this? You have made this a spider’s web from which you cannot come out.”

The bench added, “You are the concerned department, and you should contact the archaeological department directly. For years, you have done nothing. You have woken up from your slumber only after we interfered. The state often deliberately complicates the matter.”

“People have to cross this bridge. You have stopped heavy vehicles from entering. You are contemplating a new bridge, but that will take time. Hold a meeting with your department and decide over the recent issue, and also decide over a timeline,” said the two-judge bench.

Gondal’s heritage bridges

These two heritage bridges, located in Gondal, are more than 100 years old. The authorities were given clear instructions to conduct the repair work without tampering with its historical heritage.

It is noteworthy that these bridges were constructed under the rule of Gondal’s Maharaja Bhagvatsinhji.

Connecting Ghoghavadar circle to Panjrapol and hospital circle to Monghiba school, these bridges were in dilapidated condition.

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