The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has initiated the demolition of the Hatkeshwar Bridge, a structure long mired in controversy over allegations of corruption and substandard construction.
Built at a cost of over 40 crore, the bridge will now be demolished at an additional cost of ₹10 crore.
Earlier, there were plans to both demolish and rebuild the bridge. This full project was expected to cost Rs 110 crore. A Rajasthan-based company had agreed to do this work. However, due to high costs, the plan was dropped, and AMC decided to focus only on demolition. This decision is aimed at reducing the financial burden on the city and the contractor.
The AMC’s new plan is seen as a step to manage the city’s money more wisely, especially after the problems linked to this bridge. Officials say that the new Rs 10 crore demolition plan is more practical and cost-effective. The AMC has also decided to recover the demolition cost from the original contractor, Ajay Engineering Infrastructure Private Limited, who was accused of poor construction work.
The bridge had been closed for the past three years due to safety concerns. Many people believe that corruption during construction turned it into “a mud pit,” causing major problems. An AMC audit report even revealed that some municipal officers were involved in wrongdoing with the contractor. The report showed missed chances to recover the city’s losses and highlighted the need for stronger rules and better checks in future projects.
The final decision to go ahead with demolition was made after discussions with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. This shows how serious the issue became, with top leaders getting involved. AMC’s Deputy Municipal Commissioner of the Bridge Project Department, Mirant Parikh, confirmed that the contractor will have to pay for the demolition, which shows that the city is now taking financial responsibility seriously.
The story of Hatkeshwar Bridge is not just about one bad project. It reflects how hard it can be to manage big public projects, especially when mistakes and corruption are involved. Even though the bridge caused a lot of trouble and loss over the years, AMC’s new plan gives hope that things can be improved.
The demolition of Hatkeshwar Bridge is not just about breaking down concrete. It’s a chance to rebuild trust, fix past mistakes, and make sure future development in Ahmedabad is done with more care, honesty, and responsibility.