Bihar bridge collapse: Infra firm also linked to big-ticket Gujarat projects
The infrastructure firm building the Bihar bridge over the Ganga River is also the contractor for the big-ticket Signature Bridge project in Dwarka besides two other projects in Gujarat.
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An under-construction Aguwani-Sultanganj Ganga bridge collapsed in Bihar's Bhagalpur district, Sunday, June 4. (PTI) The collapse of an under-construction bridge in Bihar twice in about a year has raised huge concerns. A part of the Aguwani-Sultanganj Ganga bridge in the state’s Bhagalpur district, being built at the cost of Rs 1,760 crore, collapsed on Sunday. Visuals were widely shared on social media with questions being raised on the quality of construction.
The infrastructure firm building the Bihar bridge over the Ganga River is also the contractor for the big-ticket Signature Bridge project in Dwarka besides two other projects in Gujarat.
Projects in Gujarat by the SP Singla Constructions Pvt Ltd, the infrastructure firm now under the scanner, are nearing completion, government officials said Monday.
The company is building a Rs 962 crore four-lane cable-stayed Signature Bridge across the sea connecting the island of Bet Dwarka to Okha on the mainland. The construction of the marine bridge — which is about 2,452 m in length with a cable stay span of 900 m— began in 2017. Its pylons will reach a height of 150 m and will support two vehicular lanes and walkways.
#Bihar a portion of under construction bridge over Ganga river collapsed today. The Aguanhighat Sultanganj bridge will connect Khagaria and Bhagalpur districts. pic.twitter.com/7DLTQszso7
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) June 4, 2023
When asked if the bridges constructed by the company in Gujarat will be reviewed after the Bihar incident, SB Vasava, Gujarat Secretary, Roads and Buildings Department (R&B), said, “The Bet Dwarka bridge is on the verge of completion. We do not have a clear idea about the incident that happened (in Bihar). If something adverse comes up then we can think about it.” The bridge is constructed as part of the new National Highway-51.
While the infrastructure firm faces criticism over Sunday’s incident, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has also vowed action.
Notably, in a report, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in the Gujarat Assembly on March 29 stated the Signature Bridge did not have an Environmental Clearance despite being built in an ecologically sensitive area.
SP Singla Constructions Pvt Ltd is also building a Rs 180 crore bridge across the Narmada River in the Sinor taluka of Vadodara. The bridge is part of the Dabhoi-Sinor-Malsar-Asa road for which the R&B department had floated a tender in 2018.
“When we award a tender, we check the credentials of the company, including any adverse developments. The work for the bridge on Narmada was awarded three years ago and then there was nothing against the firm. The superstructure of the Narmada Bridge is now complete. Only finishing work remains,” Vasava added. The total length of the bridge on Narmada is about 900 m. Apart from the bridges, SP Singla Constructions Pvt Ltd has also been selected by the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (GMRC) for building an 11.6 km elevated viaduct and 10 metro stations under Phase-1 construction of Surat Metro.
The company is building this stretch from Kadarsha Ni Nal to Dream City in a joint venture with Sadbhav Engineering Ltd for Rs 780 crore.
The metro stations in the project include Kadarsha Ni Nal, Majura Gate, Rupali Canal, Althan Tenament, Althan Gam, VIP Road, Woman ITI, Bhimrad, Convention Centre and Dream City, where the diamond bourse is coming up.
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