Ahmedabad: Five months after an inspection report labelled its condition as ‘overall good’, repairs started on the Income Tax flyover on Tuesday after joints connecting two spans became loose. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) said that the defect is not in the flyover’s structure, but only in the expansion joints. The flyover was built six years ago for Rs 65.5 crore and underwent inspections by an AMC consultant five months ago.AMC’s official statement said, “The defect observed in the finger-type expansion joint of the Income Tax flyover is not a defect in the structure. During inspection, it was found that the joints had opened as the bolts of the expansion joint had become loose. This defect is limited only to the expansion joint and does not compromise the safety or structure of the flyover. Work to replace the loose bolts, and repair the expansion joint with epoxy and micro-concrete has started. The finger-type expansion joints of this bridge are covered under the guarantee period of the contracted firm, Ranjit Buildcon Ltd, which is carrying out the repairs and at its own expense.”
Shehzad Khan Pathan, leader of the opposition in the AMC, stated, “The Hatkeshwar flyover was demolished due to substandard quality. AMC started inspection of all bridges, flyovers, underpasses and culverts in the city after monsoon. For this work, Pankaj M Patel Consultant Pvt Ltd was given the task of inspecting 35 bridges, and Geo Design & Research Pvt Ltd was assigned 34 bridges, including the Income Tax flyover. The company submitted its inspection report on July 9 showing the flyover’s structure as ‘overall good’. The flyover’s joints opened up in just five months. Did the company not check the expansion joints during the inspection? We demand that this company be immediately blacklisted.”
