Hatkeshwar Flyover to Be Demolished as AMC Issues ₹9.31 Cr Tender; Opposition Seeks Rebuilding Plan
Ahmedabad: The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has issued a tender worth ₹9.31 crore for the demolition of the Hatkeshwar flyover, which has remained closed since 2022 due to serious structural concerns. Originally built in 2017 at a cost of ₹40 crore, the flyover has been the subject of public and political scrutiny after it was found to have severe deck settlement issues at four locations, raising alarm over the quality of construction.
The AMC’s latest move to begin demolition comes after multiple failed attempts to invite tenders for both the demolition and reconstruction of the bridge. However, in the tender floated on Thursday, the civic body has focused solely on demolition, without any clarity on plans for rebuilding the crucial infrastructure link.
The decision has drawn criticism from the Opposition, which has demanded transparency and a clear plan for restoring the flyover. Shehzad Khan Pathan, Leader of the Opposition in AMC, questioned the absence of a reconstruction roadmap. “The flyover has been closed for nearly 1,000 days. Citizens deserve to know whether and when it will be rebuilt,” said Pathan. He added that issuing a tender for demolition without announcing a parallel plan for rebuilding reflects poor governance and disregard for public inconvenience.
Residents and commuters in the Hatkeshwar area, who have faced significant traffic disruptions since the closure of the flyover, echoed similar concerns. The flyover, which was meant to ease congestion in one of the city’s busy junctions, has become a symbol of civic failure. “We were promised better infrastructure, but instead we have a crumbling flyover and no clear path forward,” said a local shopkeeper.
Civic sources said that while the AMC is considering options for reconstruction, no official proposal or budget has been finalized yet. The delay is reportedly due to technical evaluations and cost assessments still underway.
Structural engineers involved in the earlier inspection had identified serious flaws that made it unsafe for vehicular traffic. Experts believe that any rebuilding effort will have to start from scratch, given the extent of damage and the poor foundational quality observed in the current structure.
The Opposition has now demanded that the AMC present a detailed project timeline for the reconstruction, along with estimated costs and expected completion dates. They have also called for an inquiry into the original construction quality and those responsible for the premature deterioration of the bridge.
As the demolition process moves forward, the spotlight remains on the AMC to assure the public that a long-term solution is being planned and implemented.
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