Three years after closure, demolition of Hatkeshwar bridge finally commence

One of the biggest fiascoes highlighting administrative corruption in Ahmedabad, the Hatkeshwar Bridge will now be demolished at a cost of ₹4 crore within four months.

The burdened closed structure in the choked locality of east Ahmedabad’s Hatkeshwar area has been closed for public use for the past three years. It was built in 2015 at a cost of ₹40 crore by Ajay Infracon on a foundation of corruption. Currently, removal of the asphalt on the Khokhra side of the bridge has begun.

The Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) had floated a tender worth ₹9.31 crore for the demolition of the Hatkeshwar Bridge.  Shree Ganesh Construction will demolish the bridge for ₹4 crore.

The contractor set the condition that all the scrap generated during demolition, including steel, would be taken away by them. On Thursday morning, the contractor deployed JCBs and other machinery to begin demolition of the upper section of the bridge.

The bridge was opened to the public in 2017. However, concerns were raised about its quality soon, leading to its closure. The AMC sought reports from various agencies, including IIT Roorkee, regarding the quality of construction. The reports revealed that low-grade concrete and other substandard materials were used, recommending that the bridge be demolished.

Officials announced that the demolition cost would be recovered from Ajay Infrastructure. On the other hand, the contractor who built the bridge has filed a case in the Commercial Court against the Corporation.

It is uncertain when the demolition expenses will actually be recovered from the contractor.