Ahmedabad: The Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Ltd (SRFDCL) has issued an invitation for bids for the dredging work beneath the Atal bridge, located between Ellis Bridge and Sardar Bridge, covering an area of approximately 100 meters by 100 meters, with the aim of reducing the existing riverbed depth to an average of 3 to 4 feet. The deadline for physical bid submissions is 20-11-2023, up to 16:00 hrs.

The deepening of the area by approximately four feet is crucial to ensuring the safe passage of vessels, including cruise boats, floating restaurants, and other boats. An SRFDCL official emphasized the necessity for dredging to remove accumulated debris and sand from the specified riverbed location, thereby preventing potential accidents for passing vessels.

Insiders from the SRFDCL suggest that this debris may have originated from the construction of the Rs 74 crore foot overbridge, which opened to the public in August 2022. Repairs were also initiated due to cracks in portions of the glass floors, leading to the installation of railings around areas where the glass was replaced, potentially contributing to debris on the riverbed.

To address this concern, dredging of the riverbed will be conducted to increase its depth. DeshGujarat