In Gujarat, heavy rainfall has caused damage to various roads and bridges. To address this issue, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has initiated urgent repair work. The state government is prioritising citizen safety by conducting technical inspections of numerous bridges on the Narmada Canal network. This effort aims to ensure the quality and safety of these structures.
The Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited has reported that the Narmada Canal network spans approximately 69,000 km, covering 1.792 million hectares of irrigated land. There are about 2,110 bridges connecting national highways, state highways, and village roads across this network. An extensive visual inspection campaign has been launched to assess the current condition of these bridges, identify potential faults, and extend their lifespan.
Based on the findings from the inspection, five bridges have been deemed unsafe for traffic and are now completely closed. Additionally, four bridges have been restricted for heavy vehicles. Moreover, instructions have been issued to local administrative bodies to close 36 bridges immediately for necessary repairs. The remaining 2,065 small and large bridges on the Narmada Canal are also being monitored to ensure their safety.
The five completely closed bridges include:
1. A bridge connecting Ajitgarh and Ghantila villages on the Maliya Branch Canal in Morbi district.
2. A bridge on the Maliya Branch Canal between National Highway 151A and the Machhu River in Morbi district.
3. A bridge located near Dhangi-Chharad village on the Saurashtra Branch Canal in Surendranagar district.
4. A bridge near the Lakhatar-Vana village on the Saurashtra Branch Canal in Surendranagar district.
5. A bridge near Bala-Bala farm in Vadawan taluka on the Saurashtra Branch Canal in Surendranagar district.
The four bridges restricted for heavy vehicles are:
1. A bridge on the state highway connecting Fedra-Bagodara and Bhavnagar in Ahmedabad district.
2. A bridge on the canal connecting Naroda in Ahmedabad and Dehgam in Gandhinagar.
3. A bridge on the canal connecting Raipur and Medrana in Ahmedabad district.
4. A bridge on the road connecting Siddhala and Suigam in Patan district on the Kutch Branch Canal.
Continuous stress and environmental factors impact the transport bridges on the Narmada Canal network. Regular inspections are crucial to identify potential risks and address them promptly. Therefore, inspecting and maintaining bridges is an ongoing process. The Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam reports that future regular inspections and timely maintenance will ensure the safety and efficiency of these bridges.