On July 9th, a portion of an old bridge located over the Mahisagar River in the Vadodara district of Gujarat collapsed, tragically claiming the lives of approximately 20 people. This incident not only shocked the public but also compelled the government to take immediate action. The bridge's collapse completely severed the connection between Anand and Vadodara districts, a crucial link between Saurashtra and central Gujarat.
212 Crore Rupees Plan Approved
In a swift response to the devastating incident, the Gujarat government announced the construction of a new parallel bridge. A budget of 212 crore rupees has been approved for this purpose. The new bridge will be built alongside the old one and will be technically more robust. The government has also initiated the tender process, and the construction responsibility has been assigned to the state's Roads and Buildings Department (R&B).
New Bridge to be Ready in 18 Months
The government has set a target of 18 months for the completion of the new bridge. According to officials, the survey has been completed, and the Detailed Project Report (DPR) has also been prepared. Construction work will begin soon. Plans are also in place to improve the road infrastructure in the surrounding areas, ensuring better commuting facilities for the public.
Significant Changes in Road Width and Approach Roads
This project encompasses not only the bridge itself but also the modernization and widening of the surrounding road system. The current two-lane road will be expanded to four lanes. Additionally, the approach roads on both sides of the bridge will be widened to seven meters. In total, a 4.2-kilometer stretch will be improved. This entire undertaking will be carried out under the supervision of the R&B department.
New Bridge to be Technologically More Robust
According to the state government, the design of the new bridge has taken into account the shortcomings of the old bridge. Modern technologies and high-quality structural materials will be used to strengthen the bridge. Experts believe that this time, everything from the foundation and girders to the beams has been planned in a new way to prevent any future accidents.
Plan Designed with Local Traffic in Mind
After the serious accident, regional traffic was severely impacted. Villagers and transporters faced considerable difficulties in their daily commutes. The government, keeping this in mind, decided to build a new bridge to facilitate the local population and prevent disruption to commercial activities.
The 40-Year-Old Story of the Old Bridge
The bridge that collapsed was approximately 40 years old. Proposals for its repair had been made on several occasions in the past, but the work remained incomplete. The accident on July 9th exposed this negligence. An investigation is underway, and the administration has stated that strict action will be taken after identifying those responsible.
Connectivity from Belnuma Village to Across the Mahisagar River
The new bridge will cross the Mahisagar River from Gambhira village and will be a vital link connecting Vadodara to Anand. The construction of this bridge will reduce traffic load and ensure smooth traffic flow between the two districts. It will also help connect the surrounding villages to the main highways.
Agencies to be Involved in Project Monitoring
The state government does not want to take any risks this time. A high-level technical committee is being formed for bridge construction and monitoring, which will include civil engineering experts, structural designers, and independent agencies. Strict conditions will be implemented to ensure the quality and timeline of the work.
Digital Monitoring and Security Measures
Technical tools will also be used to monitor the new bridge. This includes GPS-based tracking, camera surveillance, and a digital monitoring system to keep track of every construction process. Taking lessons from the accidents, the government will not tolerate any violation of technical standards.
