Comparing the quality of construction of structures then and now he added that “we do not see this quality of construction anymore.”
In a major embarrassment for the ruling BJP, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Sunday said India may become the third largest economy but its buildings and bridges were collapsing. “We have said that we will be the third (largest) economy, and that is true. But what about our buildings and bridges collapsing while we become the third largest economy? Who is responsible for that,” Pawar was quoted as saying while speaking at the inauguration of the Professional Structural Engineers Association (PSEA) in Pune.
The statement after two major bridge collapse incidents—one Pune, Maharashtra and second in Vadodara, Gujarat—is significant. Four persons were killed when an iron bridge over the Indrayani river in Pune collapsed on June 15, while in Gujarat at least 12 persons died after multiple vehicles fell into the Mahisagar river in the bridge collapse.
Gujarat is ruled by the BJP. In Maharashtra, Ajit Pawar’s breakaway NCP is part of the BJP-led Mahayuti
Ajit Pawar said that “even after 100 years, PWD (Public Works Department) gets their (British company’s) letters informing that ‘on this date 100 years will be completed and our guarantee is over. Please do not operate the bridge for vehicular use anymore’. We have to make efforts to demolish those bridges,” he said, as per media reports.
Comparing the quality of construction of structures then and now he added that “we do not see this quality of construction anymore.”
“We live in Mumbai. All the buildings that we see in Ballard Estate (South Mumbai) are very old. The High Court building or the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus… these buildings are excellent even after so many years,” he added.
The collapse of Gambhira Bridge on the Mahisagar river in Gujarat added another number to the long list of India’s crumbling infrastructure. Local residents had repeatedly raised concerns over its poor condition, pleas that fell on deaf ears, though some repairs were undertaken last year, according to reports.
It was the second major bridge collapse incident in Gujarat in recent years. In October 2022, a pedestrian suspension bridge over the Machchhu river in Morbi collapsed, causing the death of over 141 persons.
Demanding the resignation of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, opposition Congress claims 16 bridges have collapsed in the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the past four years. Politicians and bureaucrats are sharing bribes from every contract and project, alleges Congress leader Jignesh Mevani
Last year, nearly 12 bridges collapsed in Bihar within a span of just 20 days.
According to a study, “Analysis of Bridge Failures in India from 1977 to 2017,” in the past four decades “more than 2130 bridges (excluding culverts and pedestrian bridges) have failed to provide intended service or have collapsed during various phases of construction in recent four decades”.
