The Kharikat Canal in Ahmedabad has become a cause for concern. It has 104 minor bridges that have not been repaired for over 50 years. The state government has not taken action to fix these bridges, putting citizen safety at risk. This issue has arisen due to a lack of policy between the government and the municipal corporation. As a result, many of these structures are in a dangerous state.
Devendra Shah reports that the irrigation department has not repaired the old culverts on the Kharikat and Fatehwadi canals. These canals were supposed to be the responsibility of the municipal corporation when the Kharikat Development Project was approved. However, no clear decision has been made about who will repair the bridges, leaving the situation unresolved.
Surveys done by the municipal corporation revealed that repairing these structures would cost over ₹100 crore. The Kharikat Canal development project has started with state support. The first phase is nearly complete, but the bridges remain in disrepair. The irrigation department handed over responsibility for the Kharikat Canal to the municipal corporation in August 2024. Despite this, no concrete policy has been established to address the repairs needed.
The Fatehwadi Canal also has old culverts that have not been repaired for decades. This is alarming because many of these structures are now extremely unsafe. In some areas, traffic has been restricted on these structures to protect citizens.
Without any policy from the municipal standing committee or the state irrigation department, local residents are facing difficulties. The municipal engineering department has surveyed all the structures, estimating that 98 of the 104 structures are under the municipal corporation’s jurisdiction. The estimated cost for repairing these structures is approximately ₹135 crore.
Currently, these bridges remain in a dilapidated state, and citizens are crossing them at their own risk. The lack of action has left many people worried about their safety. The urgent need for a plan to repair these structures is clear. Citizens hope that the authorities will take action soon to address these concerns and ensure their safety on the roads and bridges around the Kharikat and Fatehwadi canals.
In conclusion, the situation of the bridges on the Kharikat Canal needs immediate attention. With the safety of many citizens at stake, it is crucial for the government and municipal officials to come together and create a plan to repair these vital infrastructures. The time for action is now, before any accidents occur due to negligence.