Ahmedabad: After several attempts over the past few months, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is finally set to demolish the controversial Hatkeshwar flyover, following the submission of bids by four companies in response to a short-term tender worth ₹9.3 crore issued last week. It is learned that a final decision is expected soon, after the proposal is reviewed by the Roads and Buildings Committee and the Standing Committee for necessary approvals.

Built between 2015 and 2017 at a cost of ₹34 crore, the Hatkeshwar flyover was opened to the public in 2017. However, by 2022, it had deteriorated so severely that it had to be closed to vehicular traffic.

The project was executed by Ajay Engineering Infrastructure Pvt Ltd. (AEIPL), which was blacklisted along with the project management consultant SGS India Pvt Ltd after reports confirmed serious structural issues with the bridge. Furthermore, then AMC Commissioner M. Thennarasan announced the decision to demolish the flyover on April 15, 2023.

Earlier, several tendering attempts for the demolition had failed to attract bidders. A fourth tender, valued at ₹51.7 crore, received a single bid of ₹118 crore from a Rajasthan-based company, but it was rejected following a technical review by a five-member committee. The tender was later reissued at a reduced cost of ₹9.31 crore. Initially, it saw no interest, but the latest short-term tender has now drawn four bidders. Once the process is finalized and approved by the standing committee, demolition work is expected to begin. DeshGujarat