Matching Fragments
He
further submitted that the ownership of the Hope Bridge is of the
State Government and the State Government has to take the ultimate
decision. He submitted that even SVNIT was requested recently to
inspect the Bridge and report as regards the feasibility of retaining
the same. The SVNIT in no uncertain terms has opined that it is
advisable to dismantle it for safety of persons and safety of
adjoining Nehru Bridge. At this stage, learned counsel for the
Corporation also invited our attention to a further affidavit filed
on behalf of the Corporation, wherein the Incharge Executive Engineer
has stated thus:
I submit that
the Surat Municipal Corporation got prepared the draft heritage
policy of Central Urban Development Corporation, Delhi, in September
2009 and at that time the suggestion from the Gujarat Urban
Development Corporation was also called for. In the said report it
was also mentioned that the Hope Bridge is required to be dismantled
and demolished.
I submit that
the survey is already made by SVNIT and also by STUP Consultant
earlier. I submit that the Central Water Power Resources, Pune, has
also opined that the Hope Bridge is damaging foundation on Nehru
Bridge and, therefore, the Hope Bridge is required to be demolished.
I submit that inspite of Sardar Patel, Swami Vivekanand Bridge there
is heavy load of traffic on Nehru Bridge and, therefore, new bridge
is required to be constructed just by the side of Nehru Bridge and
the foundation of Hope Bridge and Nehru Bridge are not similar and
there is efflux, where there is a flood there is difference in level
of water in respect of both the bridges. I submit that inspite of
request made by the Corporation, the Hope Bridge is not being
considered as heritage property by the State Government. I submit
that even SVNIT was also requested recently to report for condition
and assessment of Hope Bridge, and the report was given by the said
Institution on 10th October 2011 which was advised that it
is advisable to dismantled the bridge for the safety of person and
for safety of Nehru Bridge.
I submit that
in view of the fact that there are reports from the STUP Consultant
as well as SVNIT, after the survey being made by the Professor of
SVNIT, which is well-known Engineering Institute, there is no further
progress. On the contrary, the Corporation has asked the State
Government to give two spans for placing the same somewhere as
heritage property, but, the bridge as such will have to be dismantled
in view of what is stated earlier in the affidavit-in-reply and in
this affidavit also."
RECOMMENDATIONS
:
Looking to
above all point the present Hope Bridge which has undergone severe
corrosion of some of load bearing components, requires large scale
repairs. And in its present condition, if it cannot be used for
vehicular traffic, it is advisable to dismantle it for safety of
persons and safety of adjoining Nehru Bridge.
Thanking you,
(Dr.A.K.Desai) (Prof.S.N.Desai)
Associate
Professor, Applied Mechanics Head, Applied Mechanics
Deptt, SVNIT,
Surat Deptt, SVNIT, Surat
(M) 93274
33390 (M) 98247 87178"
