The tragic collapse of a bridge near Vadodara, which claimed more than 10 lives, has intensified calls from social workers for immediate repairs to a dilapidated and dangerous bridge on the Amreli-Rajkot highway in Amreli district.
Kantilal Parmar, a social worker from Jasvantgadh, Amreli, has penned an urgent letter to the Chief Minister, highlighting the precarious condition of the bridge over the river near Nana Machiyala, Amreli. Parmar emphasized that the bridge is extremely old, dilapidated, and poses a significant threat to the thousands of commuters who use the busy Amreli-Rajkot highway daily.
"Thousands of vehicles traverse this highway every day," Parmar stated in his letter. "Due to the crumbling bridge, there is a constant risk of an accident, endangering the lives of those passing by."
Parmar’s plea comes in the wake of the Gambhira bridge tragedy on the Vadodara-Padra highway, where innocent lives were lost. He warned that a similar disaster could unfold in Amreli if the Nana Machiyala bridge is not addressed promptly.
The social worker has urged the formation of an investigation committee comprising technical experts and engineers to assess the bridge's sustainability and potential risks. He stressed the need for immediate action based on the committee's report, followed by the allocation of funds in the budget for the construction of a new bridge.
Parmar noted that numerous complaints regarding the dangerous state of the Nana Machiyala bridge have been filed in the past, and reports have appeared in the news. However, he lamented the lack of action from the responsible Roads and Buildings Department (State), calling it "very regrettable."
"Considering the entire situation, I earnestly request that our representation be taken seriously, an investigation be conducted, and immediate repairs be carried out on this bridge," Parmar appealed. He further requested that funds be allocated in the budget for a new bridge in the public interest.
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