A day after the tragic collapse of the Gambhira bridge in Vadodara, which resulted in the loss of 15 lives, Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani has ordered an extensive inspection of all bridges in Ahmedabad. This includes railway overbridges, river bridges, and other important structures. The decision comes amid rising concerns about the safety of aging infrastructure in the city.
Ahmedabad is home to 89 bridges, which consist of various types:
– 11 bridges over the Sabarmati River
– 25 railway bridges
– 20 flyovers
– 3 minor bridges
– 7 canal box culverts
Commissioner Pani has directed officials to thoroughly assess the structural stability of each bridge. Immediate repairs should be made if any issues are found, ensuring the safety of all residents. A detailed report of the findings from these inspections is expected within one week.
Among the oldest bridges in Ahmedabad are:
– Kalupur Railway Overbridge (built in 1875)
– Lakdiya Bridge (built in 1888)
– Sarangpur Bridge (Juna) (built in 1940)
– Gandhi Bridge (Juna) (built in 1940)
– Nehru Bridge (built in 1960)
The Gambhira bridge collapse has raised significant public concern about the state of bridges across Gujarat. Many are worried that similar tragedies could occur if not addressed promptly. In response, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is taking action to ensure the safety of its bridges.
The AMC’s inspection will focus on bridges that are 15 years old or more. Load-bearing tests will be conducted on three key bridges over the Sabarmati River, including the Nehru Bridge and Gandhi Bridge. Deputy Municipal Commissioner Mirant Parikh stated that inspections will be done in two phases. The first phase will prioritize the three Sabarmati bridges, while the remaining bridges will be inspected later.
Last year, the AMC carried out preliminary checks on 69 bridges. Following those checks, repairs were initiated on several structures, with around 80% of the work already completed. This includes ongoing repairs on the Gandhi Bridge and Sardar Bridge.
The situation in Vadodara has prompted the local authorities to assure the public that most of the bridges in their jurisdiction have recently been audited and deemed safe. However, two bridges were flagged as unsafe during their inspections, which has raised further alarm about public safety.
The Gambhira bridge was frequently used by heavy vehicles, and local residents had raised concerns about its condition prior to the incident. This tragic event marks the 12th bridge-related failure in Gujarat over the past five years, highlighting the urgent need for maintenance and safety checks across the state’s infrastructure.
In conclusion, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation is taking proactive measures to ensure the safety of its bridges following the recent tragedy in Vadodara. The city is committed to conducting thorough inspections and necessary repairs to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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