The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has announced that the ₹42 crore Hatkeshwar Bridge, inaugurated just seven years ago, will be demolished due to serious structural safety concerns. The decision comes after a recent audit revealed critical defects that could endanger public safety.
According to AMC officials, a comprehensive structural inspection conducted by an expert team uncovered multiple issues, including poor-quality concrete, foundation instability, and significant corrosion in the reinforcement. Based on the findings, the civic body concluded that repairing the bridge would not be sufficient to ensure long-term safety, making demolition and reconstruction the only viable option.
“Public safety is our top priority. After receiving the audit report, we have taken the decision to dismantle the Hatkeshwar Bridge and reconstruct it with improved quality standards,” said AMC Commissioner M. Thennarasan.
The bridge, which was inaugurated in 2017, was originally built to ease traffic congestion in the eastern parts of Ahmedabad. The news of its demolition has sparked widespread outrage among residents and civil society groups, many of whom are questioning how a newly built, high-budget bridge could deteriorate so quickly.
Political parties have also reacted strongly to the announcement. The opposition Congress party demanded a judicial probe into the construction process and called for accountability from both civic officials and contractors. “This is not just about one bridge. It’s about the misuse of public funds and the lack of oversight in major infrastructure projects,” said Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi.
In response, AMC officials stated that strict action would be taken against the contractors and engineers responsible for the faulty construction. The civic body has also assured the public that the reconstruction process will include third-party audits, real-time monitoring, and enhanced quality control measures.
The demolition work is expected to begin in August 2025. In the meantime, alternative traffic arrangements will be put in place to minimize inconvenience to commuters. The new bridge is expected to be completed by mid-2027.
The Hatkeshwar Bridge controversy has reignited concerns about infrastructure quality across India. In recent years, several states including Bihar, Maharashtra, and West Bengal have witnessed bridge collapses and emergency repairs, raising alarms over construction practices and regulatory oversight.
Experts have emphasized the need for better planning and stricter enforcement of quality standards in public works. “Bridges are built to last for decades. If one collapses or becomes unsafe in just a few years, it reflects serious systemic issues,” said structural engineering expert Dr. Anjali Mehta.
As the AMC moves forward with the bridge’s demolition and reconstruction, citizens and watchdog groups are calling for complete transparency in the process and accountability for the failure of a ₹42 crore public project.
