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Some 40 days after the virtual opening by Prime Minister Bhupendra Patil, cracks in the newly built Variav Bridge on the Tapi River in Surat Wednesday led to a sharp attack from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on the state government. The bridge was constructed at a cost of Rs 118 crore. The damage was reported at a time when the city of Surat and other parts of the state were hit by heavy monsoon rains.
In a video, Gujarat AAP President Isudhan Gadvi accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of corruption. “In the last month and a half, similar damage cases have been reported for five to six bridges in Gujarat. We want a detailed investigation.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier said that corruption will not be tolerated and those involved in such acts will not be left unpunished. I request the Chief Minister that corruption is spreading in Gujarat in all directions and CBI or Enforcement Department is requested to investigate. “In the Morbi Bridge tragedy, more than 135 people died but no CBI investigation was ordered,” Gadvi said, referring to the bridge collapse last year.
AAP Council member Dharmesh Bhanderi, who is also the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC), on Wednesday evening wrote a letter to the Chief Minister and demanded an investigation by a retired High Court judge. He said the contractor and agencies involved in building the bridges should be blacklisted and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) should be set up under the leadership of a retired judge.
talk with Indian ExpressBhanderi said, “The bridge was built at a cost of Rs. 118.42 crore, and it was inaugurated by CM Bhupendra Patel. This is the best example of corruption. In the first wave of rain, cracks appeared.” He also alleged that contractors and builders close to BJP leaders are getting such contracts in the city.
The bridge connects the villages of Variaf and Vaid in Surat. It was inaugurated by the Prime Minister on 17 May. This is the 120th bridge in the city. The bridge is supposed to be served to more than eight residents of Ichapuri, Hazira, Chaprabhata and Variav. The bridge, which is one and a half kilometers long, has four lanes.
On Wednesday afternoon, some passers-by saw cracks on the bridge approaching the road to Variaf. The visuals were also shared on social media.
Later, Bhindiri along with ex-adviser Dinesh Kashadia and others reach the place. The SMC bridge cell staff, along with Katargam district officials, were also on site.
An official at the SMC said on condition of anonymity, “The pooling of water in the approach area towards Faryaev may have caused the damage.”
Indian Express He tried to contact SMC Commissioner Shalini Agrawal to answer the matter but the calls went unanswered.
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