Ahmedabad: Gujarat Congress today in a statement said the traffic jam near Bharuch on national highway number 8 will become a matter of past due to new bridge over river Narmada.

‘Six-lane traffic had to pass through two lanes which had created bottle-neck kind of situation, but now with opening of third bridge over river Narmada near Zadeshwar, the traffic issue will come to an end. The new bridge will become new identity of Bharuch.’

Congress statement further said, ‘during the UPA rule, due to Bharuch district Rajya Sabha MP Ahmedbhai Patel’s skill and vision effective representation was made before then PM and Finance Minister regarding this bridge and Rs 371 crore financial allotment from union budget was approved. There’s political attempts to take credit of this third bridge, but people know the facts. Whoever contributed tot his project deserve credit.’

‘The project kicked off in middle of year 2014. It was likely to complete in 36 months, but due to some unavoidable circumstances, the task completed in Augsut 2016.’

‘1344 meter long and 22.8 meter wide, four lane bridge has many specialities. It is standing over 10 spans matching to Vancouver-Canada based Golden Ears Bridge over river Fraser. Out of 10 spans, each of 8 is 144 meter long while spans at two ends are 96 meter long. Readymade segments between two spans have been put with cable support by L&T company while constructing this bridge.’

‘This is fourth such bridge in India. River bridge over Hubli in Kolkata has been constructed using same extradosed technique in which there are lesser number of pillars that are connected through pre-constructed segments and supported by cable. This technique makes it possible to construct a durable bridge in lesser time limit./’

‘India’s first extradosed bridge was made for Delhi Metro which is 196 meter long. It is between Pragati Maidan and Idraprasth.

‘More than 25,000 vehicles including around 10,000 trucks will no more need to pass through bottle-neck like road at Bharuch. Major industrial complexes like Hazira, Dahej, Vapi, Vatva, Ankleshwar will also benefit through this bridge due to speedier traffic on this stretch which connects Mumbai and Delhi. With small vehicle transportation on old Sardar bridge(built in 1977) near Zadeshwar, there’s now 8-lane facility here.’

‘First stone laying function for this crucial bridge was held in 2012 in presence of then transportation minister Shri CP Joshi. After awarding of tender, Hindustan Construction disobeyed the terms. Shri Ahmed Patel made representation that the central government itself build this important bridge in order to provide relief to people. Ahmed Patel had not only made repeated representations but even issued a threat to go on hunger strike in 2013.’

‘After 9-year, the bridge construction contract was awarded on EPC model and not BOT due to Ahmed Patel’s efforts thanks to which those passing through the bridge will not need to pay toll tax.’

‘The bridge will have LED lights. It will be like a light house of development of this area. The bride will not only help the local people but also reduce the time of journey between Delhi-Mumbai and help the country.’

‘After ground breaking by then union minister CP Joshi on 1st May 2012, another union minister Oscar Fernandese had reviewed the progress by visiting the sight on 7 February 2014. Ahmed Patel had reviewed the ongoing work on 21 February 2016.’

DeshGujarat