Surat: Concrete girder on overhead metro bends creates fear.
The ongoing construction of the Surat metro rail bridge on the Saroli to Kadodara road came to a halt amid concerns over the safety and quality of the project when the overhead span of the metro line dangerously tilted to one side. The concrete span has developed cracks, and iron rods beneath the surface are exposed. The incident occurred between pillars 747 and 748 near the overbridge site near Bharat Cancer Hospital on the 18-kilometer route between Bhesan Depot and Saroli.
The sight of the bent-down hanging span created fear among the commuters on the road beneath. The quality of the Rs. 12000 crore project came into question, and concerns were raised among citizens. The Surat metro, an ambitious project, is being built with the participation of the state and central government on two routes.
The fire brigade and the police reached the spot and diverted the traffic to other routes. This led to commotion and traffic jams at several points, causing widespread discontent among citizens.
The company Dilip Buildcon, entrusted with the work, has attracted criticism, with people questioning the performance and competence of the company, particularly in light of a recent incident at the Hisrasar Airport in Rajkot.
The General Manager (Civil) at Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (GMRC) has assured that the bridge's deformation is being continuously monitored. He mentioned that it can be restored back safely as the load of the bridge is still on the launching girder. The Executive Director of the Metro Project stated, “Currently, the team is investigating this.”
The Surat metro rail project is slated to open in 2027.
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