[ad_1]
A newly built bridge on the Mindhola River in Tapi district, which was ready for opening, collapsed on Wednesday morning. Officials said there were no reports of any casualties. After Tapi District Collector Vipin Garg announced an investigation earlier in the day, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel ordered a high-level investigation by Wednesday evening.
The Prime Minister also issued orders for the immediate suspension of the Executive Engineer, Deputy Executive Engineer and Assistant Engineer associated with the project. The bridge is built under the Mukhya Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. The estimated construction cost is around Rs 2 crore.
A government statement said the Surat-based Akshay Construction Company, which was awarded the contract to build the bridge, had been blacklisted for using substandard concrete. “The bridge was not ready for operation at the moment and part of the bridge collapsed. We have ordered an investigation into the accident and the quality of the materials used will be thoroughly checked.” Indian Express.
Garg said that the QC team from Gandhinagar also came for an investigation. “At the moment, it is difficult to say what caused the collapse of part of the bridge,” he said.
The bridge is 100 meters long while 8.40 meters wide with two pillars and three piers, according to people familiar with the matter.
On Wednesday, the portion of the slab between pier 2 and 3 collapsed and collapsed. The construction of the bridge entrance is still in progress.
The bridge was covered under the 2017-18 Mukhya Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (Bridge to Bridge). Through tender procedures, the work order has been handed over to Akshay Construction at Rs. 1.84 crores on 5th February 2020. Surat-based green design and architecture co-designed.
According to the terms and conditions, the work was to be completed within 11 months. But the agency requested an extension of the deadline. May 30 was the later date.
The accident occurred on Wednesday at around 6.30 am, according to local residents, when the middle section of the bridge – which connects Maypur village in Valode taluka to Dijama village in Viara taluka – collapsed into the Mindhola River.
The bridge that was on the site previously was not of the required height. The locals said that during the monsoons, it was flooded. Construction of the new bridge started in 2021.
[ad_2]
