The city’s now infamous Hatkeshwar flyover, a testimony of Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and the contractor’s foul play, was damaged in just four years, which was promised to sustain for half a century.

AMC’s road and bridge department finds itself embroiled in a corruption scandal as the Hatkeshwar flyover, built at a cost of ₹44 cr, still stands closed. 

This represents one of the citizens’ greatest disappointments, as they witness their tax money being squandered on unsuccessful projects.

The Hatkeshwar flyover not only marred the municipality’s reputation but also cast a shadow over the government’s infrastructure projects.

However, the flyover’s contractor, Ajay Infrastructure, despite being entangled in the controversy, continues to profit from municipal contracts.

Despite rhetoric promising ‘zero tolerance for corruption’ by AMC, Ajay Infrastructure gets an additional payment of ₹26 cr for the Pallav flyover.

Following outrage from the public after the Morbi Bridge collapse incident, it was decided to demolish the Hatkeshwar flyover within six months through the contractor’s funds.

Over a year has passed, and the tender for the flyover’s demolition has failed three times. 

Daily traffic woes

As Hatkeshwar flyover’s service road descends into chaos, plagued by daily traffic jams and pollution, it has affected local businesses in that area. The narrow alley along the Hatkeshwar flyover becomes a nightmare for commuters during monsoon season.

The situation at the Pallav flyover was the same as at the Hatkeshwar flyover when it was closed for seven months, creating traffic woes between Naranpura and Shastri Nagar. Around 1.25 lakh vehicles pass daily through that area, creating traffic jams.

In the audit report, it was revealed that once their tenders are approved, the contractors have stopped paying bills, leading to irregularities in work quality.

The quality of the raw materials used in the bridge was overseen by engineers who were supervising the project.

It was also revealed that bills were paid before the completion of the flyover. Most of the penalties were not recovered from the contractor; reports revealed irregularities, including a lack of dates on many bills.

The delay in completing the bridge led to a penalty request of ₹2.37 cr, of which only ₹ 23.69 lakh was paid.

These controversial facts between contractor and corporation reveal a problematic affair.

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