Surat - Roads | Bridges | Flyovers

[India101]

Post news, updates, info and pictures of roads, bridges and flyovers in Surat

[India101]

SMC clears funds for widening two roads

SURAT: The public works committee of the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) cleared estimates for widening two stretches of roads on Wednesday, allowing for the tendering process to start. Both stretches are highly populated and see traffic jams, especially during weekends and evenings.

The one-km stretch on Surat-Dumas Road from the end of towards Dumas, is 22 metres wide at present. It turns into a recreational spot on weekends and evening, often leading to traffic jams. SMC now plans to make it 60 metres wide up to the multiplex.

"Once this road is constructed, it will ease traffic problems. In the second phase, we will take up the portion up to the end of Sultanabad and make it equally wide," said Niranjan Zanjmera, chairman of the committee, while approving estimates of Rs 1.40 crore for the widening project.

An official said, "We have acquired the land on both sides of the road and would finish the project quickly."

Estimates of Rs 1.85 crore for widening the 1.5 km stretch from Pasodara to Kathodara on Surat-Kamrej Road have also been approved. At present, this road is six metres wide and will be converted to a 24-metre stretch.

"This road is an ideal bypass for Bardoli. In the last three years, many residential complexes have come up in the area, and the stretch often sees traffic jams," said Zanjmera.

[India101]

70 CCTV cameras to monitor Surat roads

Surat police have decided to install CCTV cameras at various points in the city owing to rise in crime. The decision was taken after the state government was asked to install the cameras in five important cities of the state. Currently, the city police are identifying spots to install the cameras.

Cameras will be directly attached to the control room specially designed at the police headquarters. CCTV cameras will be placed at 70 important and sensitive locations. These spots will be kept under round-the-clock surveillance.

“CCTV cameras will keep track of various incidents like breach of traffic rules. City is witnessing a rise in crime. CCTV camera footages can act as proof if a crime gets recorded and help in identifying criminals. At places where CCTV cameras are installed, crime rate get reduced by more than 40%,” a top police official said on condition of anonymity.

Sources said that along with Surat, CCTV cameras will be installed in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Vadodara and Rajkot.
After identifying locations, the Surat police department will send a request to state government for supply of CCTV cameras. Sources added that earlier 200 cameras were to be installed in the city, but the state government reduced the number to 70.

[India101]

Contract awarded for cable-stayed bridge

SURAT: The standing committee of Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has approved the appointments of project management consultants (PMC) for four of its major development schemes. These are the cable-stayed bridge, two rail overbridges and a new flood gate.

The consultant for the cable-stayed bridge of 1,000 metres, which is to join Adjani-Pal with Towlines over Tapi river, was given total responsibility of the project. S N Bhobe, a Mumbai-based company, has been given the work of total consultancy at the rate of 2.13 per cent on the project cost of Rs 143 crore. This consultant has been working with the SMC on some other projects and has experience on cable stayed bridge consultancy too.

Multimedia has been given the PMC contract for two rail over bridges on Bhestan-Bhusaval line on level crossing three and at Dindoli on Bhestan-Bhusaval loop line. These projects are estimated to cost Rs 30.20 and Rs 12.69 crore. The PMC fees will be paid at 1.75 per cent of the project cost.

The consultancy for the construction of a new flood gate at Chaprabhatha was awarded to the lowest tenderer- WEBCOS company- for a fee of Rs 13.72 lakh.

[AjayGJ21]

Proposed new redesigned Adajan Athwalines Cable Bridge.
As per my knowldge the project consultant is S N Bhobe Associates and work for construction is awarded to Gammom india infrastructure.
Not aware about the current status of this dream project of SMC.



I) Cable Staved portion
Length 300 mt(75 + 150 + 75 mt)
Width 23.3 mt
Pylon Height 35.0 mt above deck.
II) Balance Bridge details
Length 333.60 mt
Width 21.0 mt to 28.0 mt(varying)
III) Approach Viaducts
a) On Adajan side
Length 118.36 mt
Width 21.0 mt
b) On Athwaline side
Length 166.25 mt
Width 15.3 mt to 28.3 mt (varying)

[meetmus2fa]

SURAT: Hoardings at low height had claimed the lives and injured many during the blast in Dadar West in Mumbai on Wednesday. These are a common feature on the city roads here. The local authorities had come out lucky in 2008 when the bombs planted by terrorists on the hoardings in the city were detected and defused in time.

Out of the nine bombs found on the hoardings in the city in July 2008, five bombs were found on Varachha flyover. The local authorities subsequently removed the hoardings from the flyovers. The hoardings and banners that were removed from the parapets and pillars after the recovery of bombs have now returned.

Police investigation in the 2008 bomb planting case revealed that the bombs were tied to the hoardings so as to damage the Varachha flyover. The bombs were planted at the two ends of Varachha flyover to damage the structure severely.

Varachha road remains crowded throughout the day. A large number of people move around in the area on road.

Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has again started to use the space for advertising. SMC offers the space on contract to advertising agencies and they rent out them to the advertisers.

Hoardings over Chaupati bus stop are placed at a low height. One bomb was recovered from a hoarding here on August 3, 2008.

"We regularly check the backside of the hoardings. It is for the SMC to take a decision about the hoardings," said R S Patel, police inspector, Varachha police station.

When contacted town planner, D N Basak, disconnected the phone. The official mobile of Basak was also switched off.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...ow/9227774.cms

[s.yogendra]

Entering the causeway from Rander side


Various glimpses of the Causeway linking Rander with Adajan


The lake formed by the wier is aptly named after Surat's famous poet... Kavi Narmad


Lovely drive across the causeway...


Road as you enter the Rander Side..

Source

[meetmus2fa]

SURAT: The three kilometre-long elevated road over Rajmarg will take longer to get off the drawing board with fresh plans to merge it with the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) project.

SMC executive engineer Bharat Shah said, "The previous tender was scrapped due to a number of reasons. Now, if the elevated road is merged with the BRTS project, part for the expenses will be paid by JnNURM."

With an estimated traffic of more than 2 lakh two-wheelers and about a lakh of four-wheelers passing through the area apart from about 50,000 three-wheelers roaming in the area, Rajmarg has the densest traffic.

Source-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...ow/9277526.cms

[meetmus2fa]

SURAT: Town planners in Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) heaved a sigh of relief as the state government's urban development department finally reduced the expected scrap value of Hope Bridge from Rs 3 crore to Rs 2.25 crore. Once the bridge is dismantled, a new one will be built in its place.

The civic body had thrice invited tenders from scrap dealers no one came forward to buy the scrap of the 133-year-old bridge made of wrought iron, cast iron and structural steel at this price.

Built in 1877 at the cost of Rs 8.13 lakh by the then district collector and magistrate of Surat, Theodore Hope, the 551.14-metre-long Hope bridge was an important link between the old Surat and Rander town for nearly a century.

Till 1960, it was the only bridge across Tapi river and the second bridge known as Nehru bridge was constructed in 1966. Other bridges like Sardar bridge and Swami Vivekanand bridge were built in 1992 and 1996, respectively.

On February 9, 2010, the bridge started showing signs of ageing when the span on its approach end at Chowk Bazaar tilted. Fearing the bridge would collapse, the civic body decided to demolish the entire span on the approach end.

"We are happy that the urban development department has revised the bridge's offset value at Rs 2.25 crore. A fresh tender has been floated with the revised offset value and we are expecting interest bidders to participate," said a senior civic officer.

"We want to dismantle the bridge as early as possible in order to construct a new bridge across the river" he added.

Source-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...ow/9277535.cms

[Cosmicbliss]

Surat needs an ORR very badly.

[meetmus2fa]

SURAT: There may be hope in its name, but the bridge itself seems to be heading for a not-so-appealing future. With Surat Municipal Corporation deciding to lower the sale price for scrap from the 133-year-old Hope Bridge, it might not be long before the city loses its oldest bridge. SMC proposes to dismantle this bridge and build a new one in its place. This has left heritage lovers and organizations, working to conserve heritage, fuming.

Built at a cost of Rs 8.13 lakh, the bridge is expected to earn SMC Rs 2.25 crore from the sale of wrought iron, cast iron and steel used for its construction. "Why should a structure with such historical importance be brought down? Hope Bridge is not just a structure. It is a standing piece of history," says Jaydev Nansey, engineer-planner and heritage law expert.

Manvita Baradi, director of NGO Urban Management Centre wrote to Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), New Delhi, highlighting the need to prevent the dismantling of the bridge. The issue was taken up with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), New Delhi, which in turn got in touch with KC Nauriyal, director, ASI, Vadodara chapter.

Nauriyal will be writing to SMC asking for details and even discuss solutions. Meanwhile, organizations like UMC and INTACH as well as heritage conservationists in the state have expressed willingness to assist SMC in finding out a solution to avoid the demolition of Hope Bridge.

Few might know that the fee of two pai collected from every user at the bridge could perhaps be the first time the concept of toll tax was introduced in Surat. Bhamini Mahida, chief curator of Science Centre, says, "The town planning department has a point in that constructing a new bridge would ease traffic. They have even proposed to re-install a part of the bridge opposite the heritage square, being developed on the banks of the Tapi. But, I strongly believe Hope Bridge is a monument that should not be destroyed. Relocating it will diminish its glory."

"Ellisbridge, the first bridge on Sabarmati in Ahmedabad, was constructed a decade later, but it still stands. The citizens convinced the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation to keep it and built two wings alongside it. Hope Bridge holds similar value for Surat. It has strong heritage value and that must be preserved," opines Baradi.

Baradi recently co-authored 'At the Core: Understanding the built heritage of Surat and Rander', a book on the living heritage of Surat. She adds, "SMC supports heritage conservation. It is surprising that a corporation that lists 3,000 of its beautiful buildings including this bridge as heritage and also prepares the heritage policy of the city, can surrender to pressures. The need is to look at a vehicle for growth and public transportation and not sacrifice heritage."

Source - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...ow/9362921.cms

[AjayGJ21]

Authorities of the Western Railway have accepted a slew of demands put forth by the senior members of Zonal Railway Users Consultative Committee (ZRUCC) from the city at recently concluded meeting in Mumbai.

The authorities have given an in-principle approval for operating battery operated cars for ferrying the physically challenged, pregnant woman and elderly passengers at the Surat railway station, constructing a railway overbridge (ROB) at Bhestan, development of Udhna railway station, setting up of fire safety systems at Surat and other important stations like Vapi, Valsad and Bharuch.

Other demands accepted by the authorities are: extension of the east side of the railway platform at Bhestan, construction of railway over bridge (ROB) at Vapi, two more coaches provided to cater to the growing number of passengers travelling in the Valsad-Vadodara intercity train.

ZRUCC members said the meeting was chaired by the general manager of Western Railway, Kulbhushan and other senior officials at Mumbai on Monday. Various issues facing the Surat railway station and other railways stations in south Gujarat were discussed.

Wahab Belim, ZRUCC member said, "The Western Railway is likely to invite tenders in a short time for the construction of railway overbridge (ROB) at Bhestan to ease the movement of traffic."

Rakesh Shah, another member of ZRUCC from the city said, "We have received positive response from the authorities of Western Railway and most of our demands regarding the developmental works at Surat, Udhna and Bhestan railway stations have been accepted." tnn

[meetmus2fa]

- બન્ને શહેરોને જોડતો એક્સપ્રેસવે બનાવવા દરખાસ્ત- ગુજરાત સરકારે કેન્દ્રને મોકલી છે દરકાસ્ત- 1760 કિલોમીટર લાંબો હશે આ એક્સપ્રેસવે- અમદાવાદ-રાજકોટ અને અમદાવાદ-રતલામ વચ્ચેના એક્સપ્રેસવે હાઇવે માટે પણ દરખાસ્ત

ડાયમંડ સિટી સુરત અને સિટી ઓફ જોય એટલે કે કોલકાતાને જોડતો એક્સપ્રેસવે બનાવવાની દરખાસ્ત ગુજરાત સરકારે કરી છે. દક્ષિણ ગુજરાતના મહત્વના શહેર સુરત અને પશ્ચિમ ભારતના મહત્વના બંદર અને શહેર એવા કોલકાતાને સડકમાર્ગે જોડવા માટે 1760 કિલોમીટરની લંબાઈવાળા એક્સપ્રેસની દરખાસ્ત મોકલવામાં આવી છે.

આ બન્ને શહેરો વચ્ચે વેપાર અને વાણિજ્ય વધે તે માટે આ એક્સપ્રેસવે તૈયાર કરવાની વિચારણા છે, નોંધનીય છે કે દેશના મહત્વના શહેરોને એકબીજા સાથે સીધી રીતે સાંકળી લેવા માટે તેમના જોડતા નેશનલ એક્સપ્રેસના કુલ 18637 કિલોમીટરની લંબાઈવાળા નેટવર્કને વિકસાવવા માટે કેન્દ્ર સરકારે યોજના બનાવી છે. આ યોજના હેઠળ જે તે રાજ્યો પાસેથી આ પ્રકારે એક્સપ્રેસવે બનાવવા માટેની દરખાસ્ત મંગાવવામાં આવી છે.

ગુજરાત સરકારે સુરતથી કોલકાતાને જોડનારા આ સૂચિત એક્સપ્રેસવેના માર્ગમાં નાગપુર અને રાયપુરથીને પણ સાંકળી લેવાની દરખાસ્ત કરી છે. સુરત અને કોલાકાત ઉપરાંત ગુજરાત સરકારે 215 કિલોમીટર લાંબા અમદાવાદ- રાજકોટ એક્સપ્રેસ વે, 210 કિલોમીટરની લંબાઈવાળા બામણબોર અને કંડલા તથા 350 કિલોમીટરની લંબાઈવાળા અમદાવાદ અને રતલામને જોડતા એક્સપ્રેસવે હાઇવે માટેની દરખાસ્ત પણ કેન્દ્ર સરકારને મોકલી છે.

Source - http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/articl...a-2304982.html

[AjayGJ21]

If the proposal put forward by the Gujarat government is accepted by the Union government, people from Surat and South Gujarat will be directly connected by road to Kolkata in the near future.

The objective of constructing a direct express highway between the two cities is to boost trade and commerce between them.

To provide connectivity to important cities, the Centre plans to develop a national expressway network of 18,637 km. It has asked all state governments to submit their requirements, if any, to the ministry concerned.

The Gujarat government has forwarded a proposal to construct a 1,760-km-long expressway from Surat to Kolkata via Nagpur and Raipur. This will pass through all important cities, apart from directly connecting two important business centres of India. Apart from Surat and Kolkata, the state government has proposed three other expressways in the state - Ahmedabad -Rajkot (215 km), Bamanbore-Kandla (210 km) and Ahmedabad-Ratlam (350 km).

"The proposals are necessary for the industrial development of the state. Proper connectivity to particular industrial zones and SEZs can double the growth of the region. We are trying our level best to get our proposals accepted," said state transport minister Ranjit Gilitwala.

According to him, a direct road between Surat and Kolkata can help boost trade between the two cities which are both hubs for textiles and have ports and industrial zones. A direct link could create a large number ofopportunities at both ends.

While the state government is interested in a direct road link, the central government too is keen on realising the project. According to sources, 2,871 km of expressway will pass through Gujarat, apart from the Delhi-Mumbai freight corridor and Delhi-Mumbai special express highway.

Tushar Chaudhary, minister of state for highways in the union government, also agreed that a direct expressway would be very beneficial. However, he claimed that his ministry had not received any such proposal till now from the Gujarat government.

"If the highway is created, it will be helpful for all states through which it passes. But as far as I can recall, no such proposal has been forwarded to our department. We have started work on many highway proposals in the state. I have to check ministry sources to find out the current position of four expressway proposals," Chaudhary added.

[meetmus2fa]

SURAT: It seems there are no takers for the scrap of historic Hope Bridge across Tapi river. Scrap dealers are not interested in purchasing its scrap though Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has made four attempts to auction it.

Since the past three years, the civic body has been making efforts to invite scrap dealers to dismantle the 133-year-old bridge, but in vain. Earlier, three consecutive tenders were issued, but not a single bidder turned up to buy the scrap of the bridge at the offset value fixed at Rs 3 crore by the state government.

Last year, the civic body had written to the urban development department for revising the offset value of the bridge as there were no takers. Last month the urban development department revised the offset value of the bridge at Rs 2.25 crore from Rs 3 crore.

Official sources said the authorities were confident that the revision of the bridge's offset value would invite participation from the scrap dealers. A tender with revised offset value of Rs 2.25 crore was issued in July, but not a single bidder turned up for the pure iron scrap.

"We have now decided to issue a tender without quoting the offset value. Let the bidders participate in the tender and quote their prices. The highest bidder will have an opportunity to strike a deal with the civic body and the state government for the bridge's scrap," said a senior officer.

Built in 1877 at the cost of Rs 8.13 lakh by the then district collector and magistrate of Surat, Theodore Hope, the 551.14 metre long bridge was an important link between old Surat and Rander town for about 88 years.

Till 1960, it was the only bridge across Tapi river. The second bridge - Nehru Bidge - was constructed in 1966. Other bridges like Sardar Bridge and Swami Vivekanand Bridge were built in 1992 and 1996, respectively.

On February 9, 2010, the bridge started showing signs of ageing with the span on its approach end at Chowk Bazaar tilting. Fearing the bridge would collapse due to its dilapidated structure, the civic body decided to demolish the entire span at the approach end.

"We only hope that the bridge is handed over to a competent bidder so that planning for a new bridge over Tapi river can take shape," said another officer.

Source - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...ow/9582687.cms

[meetmus2fa]

સુરત. સુરત મહાનગરપાલિકાએ R ૮ કરોડ ફાળવી દીધા હોવા છતાં પશ્ચિમ રેલવેએ વરાછા, સબરસ અને સહરા દરવાજાનું ગરનાળું રિપેર કર્યું નથી. જેના લીધે શહેરીજનોએ અસહ્ય ગંદકી અને દુર્ગંધથી પરેશાન થવું પડે છે.

અગામી તા. ૨૬મી ઓગસ્ટે મુંબઇમાં ડીઆરયુસીસીની બેઠક મળનારી છે જેમાં ગરનાળાના આ પ્રશ્ન અંગે ઝેડઆરયુસીસી મેમ્બર રાકેશ શાહ રજૂઆત કરશે. શાહ જણાવે છે કે મિટીંગમાં માહિતી માગી છે કે રેલવે પાસે આ સમસ્યાનું નિરાકરણનું કોઇ નક્કર આયોજન છે કે નહીં. કેટલી સમય મર્યાદામાં સમસ્યાનો ઉકેલ આવશે તે જણાવો. સુરતમાં સવારે ૯.૪પ કલાકે વિરારથી આવતી અને સાંજે સુરતથી પ.૨પ વાગ્યે ફરી વિરાર તરફ જતી મેમુ ટ્રેનમાં વધુ ૬ કોચની માગણી કરવામાં આવી છે. આ ટ્રેનમાં ૧૨ જ કોચ હોવાને લીધે મુસાફરો ઘેટાં-બકરાંની જેમ મુસાફરી કરવા મજબૂર બની રહ્યાં છે તે અંગે પણ રજૂઆત કરાશે.

Translation in breif-SMC has given 8 crores to Railways to repair Railway underpass

Next 26 August DRUC has organized a meeting in that meeting Underpass issue will be raised.

Source - http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/articl...t-2367719.html

[meetmus2fa]

પાલિકા કમિશનરની વિઝિટ વખતે ઓવરબ્રિજના બાંધકામમાં કામદારોની સંખ્યા ઓછી દેખાતાં પીએમસી મારફતે ક્રોસ વેરિફિકેશન કરાવાયું

અડાજણ ગેસ સર્કલ ઉપર ઓવરબ્રિજના કામમાં ઢીલાશને પગલે હવે કોન્ટ્રાક્ટર સામે ગાળિયો કસવાનું શરૂ કરી દેવાયું છે. કમિશનર દાસે સાઇટ વિઝિટ કરતાં માત્ર એક જ તરફ કામ ચાલુ દેખાતાં તેમણે તત્કાળ કામદારોની સંખ્યાનું ચેકિંગ કરાવ્યું હતું અને કામ ઝડપભેર પૂર્ણ કરવા કોન્ટ્રાક્ટર પાસે બાંયધરી મેળવી સૂચના અપાઈ હતી.

શહેરમાં બ્રિજના કામો મંદ ગતિએ ચાલતા હોવાની મેયર રાજેન્દ્રર દેસાઈની ફરિયાદને પગલે કમિશનર એમ.કે. દાસે શહેરમાં ચાલતા બ્રિજ અને ઓવરબ્રિજના કામોની સાઇટ વિઝિટ કરી હતી. કેબલ સ્ટેઈડ બ્રિજની વિઝિટ દરમિયાન એપ્રોચ માટે પાઈલિંગનું કામ પૂરું થયું હોવાનું જણાયું હતું.

મુદત પૂરી, છતાં માત્ર ૩૫ ટકા જ કામ થયું!

અડાજણ ગેસ સર્કલ ઓવરબ્રિજની મુદ્દત જુન મહિનામાં પૂરી થઈ ગઈ છે પણ તેનું કામ હજુ ૩૫ ટકા પૂરું થયું છે. કમિશનર પહોંચ્યા ત્યારે ક્યાંય કામ ચાલુ ન હતું. કમિશનરે કોન્ટ્રાક્ટર પાસે જવાબ માગતા ૧૧૦ માણસો કામ કરતાં હોવાનું જણાવાયું હતું, પરંતુ સ્થળ પર એટલા માણસો ન દેખાતા ક્રોસ વેરિફિકેશન કરવાનો આદેશ કરાયો હતો અને ઝડપથી કામ પૂરું કરવાની બાંયધરી લેવાઈ હતી.

BRTSનું કામ ૨૮ ટકા

વિઝિટ અંગે કમિશનર દાસે કહ્યું,‘તાપી નદી ઉપર ઉત્રાણ-કાપોદ્રા બ્રિજનું કામ ૭૫ ટકા પૂર્ણ થયું છે. અઠવા-અડાજણ કેબલ સ્ટેઈડ બ્રિજનું કામ ૧૦ ટકા, આંજણા રેલવે ઓવરબ્રિજ ૮૨ ટકા, ગોડાદરા-ડિંડોલી રેલવે ઓવરબ્રિજ ૨૦ ટકા પૂરો થયો છે. મિડલ રિંગરોડમાં આવતો રેલવે ઓવરબ્રિજ અને ડિઁડોલી જુના જકાતનાકા પાસેનો રેલવે ઓવરબ્રિજ રેલવેની મંજુરીને કારણે અટકયો છે. સુરત-નવસારી રોડ બીઆરટીએસનું કામ ૨૨.૮ ટકા પૂરું થયું છે. ખરવરનગર પાસેનો ઓવરબ્રિજ હાઈટેન્શન લાઈનના કારણે અટકયો છે. જે માટે તાકીદ કરાઈ છે.

http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/articl...9774.html?OF3=

[Hindustani]

This one is a beauty. They should build it.

Originally Posted by AjayGJ21

Proposed new redesigned Adajan Athwalines Cable Bridge.
As per my knowldge the project consultant is S N Bhobe Associates and work for construction is awarded to Gammom india infrastructure.
Not aware about the current status of this dream project of SMC.



I) Cable Staved portion
Length 300 mt(75 + 150 + 75 mt)
Width 23.3 mt
Pylon Height 35.0 mt above deck.
II) Balance Bridge details
Length 333.60 mt
Width 21.0 mt to 28.0 mt(varying)
III) Approach Viaducts
a) On Adajan side
Length 118.36 mt
Width 21.0 mt
b) On Athwaline side
Length 166.25 mt
Width 15.3 mt to 28.3 mt (varying)

[meetmus2fa]

SURAT: There is some good news for residents of Adajan, who have been facing traffic issues and other difficulties due to the ongoing construction of a flyover at Gujarat Gas circle.

Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) is learnt to have given an ultimatum to the Ahmedabad-based bridge contractor to complete the construction of the flyover by June 2012.

The civic body has received lots of complaints from the residents and elected representatives from Adajan regarding the problems faced by the general public due to the delay in the construction of the flyover.

A fortnight ago, the residents of Ankur Society had blocked the traffic on the main thoroughfare at Adajan as a mark of protest.

"We have been facing serious traffic problems from the past one-and-a-half-year due to the ongoing bridge project. The traffic cops are forcing the residents to take a one kilometre detour to reach Sardar Bridge. We are fed up and want the construction to end soon," said Oliver Solanky, a resident of Vishalnagar Society.

The construction of the Rs 28 crore flyover project connecting Sardar Bridge with Gujarat Gas circle at Adajan started in 2010. The 1339 metre long bridge at Gujarat Gas circle was planned to ease the traffic flow in Adajan area.

Official sources said the official deadline for the completion of the construction work of the flyover was set for June 2011. The contractor has failed to meet the deadline after facing many hurdles like shifting of the drainage, water and other underground service lines in the entire stretch from Sardar Bridge to Gujarat Gas Circle.

Few days ago, the newly appointed civic chief, Manoj Das had visited the construction site after receiving a complaint from Mayor Raju Desai. Sources said the civic chief found that only 35 per cent of the construction work of the flyover was completed.

"We have asked the bridge contractor to complete the super structure of the flyover by June 2012. The delay in the construction was due to various problems like shifting of the service lines etc," said Jatin Shah, city engineer.

Source - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...ow/9731609.cms

[meetmus2fa]

SURAT: After retired civil servants came forward to save the 134-year-old Hope Bridge, citizens groups have redoubled their efforts to lobby for it to be maintained as a heritage structure.

"The bridge should be preserved at any cost,'' said K O Shah, vice-president of the Heritage Trust, which had earlier proposed that a portion of the bridge be kept on display at Surat fort. "A detailed study is required to assess the structural stability of the bridge and possibilities of its preservation,'' added Shah, a consulting structural engineer and architect.

The trust, which has more than 100 members, had carried out awareness activities for heritage structures in and around Surat in the recent past. Shah said the proximity of the bridge to the fort is another reason why it should be preserved.

Historian Mohan Meghani said, "Year after year many heritage structures such as the British Factory, Alampanah - Fort Wall have been demolished and now is the turn of the Hope Bridge. It is sad to even think of demolishing the bridge which is part of our history." Former professor of history at MTB College, Meghani has authored a book on the history of the city. "If Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation can save the Ellis Bridge and restore it, why can't we save an important part of out history," he added.

The official architect for the Heritage Square project of the Surat Municipal Corporation, the design cell of the Sarvajanik College of Engineering and Technology's, believes that the Heritage Square is incomplete without the Hope Bridge. "The bridge should be preserved at any cost and it is an important part of the city's heritage. Without Hope Bridge, the city's heritage is nothing," said Percy Engineer, head of the design cell.

Source - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...ow/9787848.cms