After 130 years of its construction, Ahmedabad’s iconic Ellisbridge is set to undergo restoration as its contract allotment is on the cards. The proposal is likely to be approved in the Amdavad Municipal Corporation’s (AMC) meeting, scheduled for Feb 26.
Rajkamal Builders Pvt Ltd is likely to build the bridge for an estimated cost of ₹26.78 cr. However, the revised amount has shot up by 36.60% compared to the one that was presented.
Restoration of this bridge has become inevitable as its steel structure is dilapidated and has reached a point of danger due to the effects of weather on its steel body, say experts.
CASAD Consultants Pvt Ltd, city-based design consultants, formulated an inspection report regarding the bridge for the AMC. As per the report, for the procurement of the special steel strengthening and restoration works, a tender was passed twice in the past, after which a contract will now be granted with a separate payment of GST.
The iconic bridge, constructed in 1892, was the first one to be built on the Sabarmati river.
In 2013–14, office bearers presented a proposal to destroy the bridge. The authorities had to repel this notion after a large-scale outrage.