Cong takes on AMC: No arrests a month after construction firm booked

Speaking to The Indian Express, Pathan said on Tuesday, “On April 15, based on the reports of various labs like that of IIT Roorkee, the municipal commissioner took a big decision to demolish the bridge, initiated a police complaint against the firm, and it was said that the firm will be blacklisted and so on. But no concrete step has been taken. No arrests made till now. It has been a month since the decision was made public, and the bridge is yet to be demolished, and there is no information on when it is scheduled to be demolished.”

“Monsoon is going to arrive around June 15, then for three months, no demolition work will be held… this (bridge) will stay on as a symbol of corruption,” he added.

Pathan further said the AMC took the decision to demolish the bridge after several demonstrations seeking action. “Even work on the flyover over Pallav char rasta, constructed by same firm that built Hatkeshwar bridge, has been stalled. What will happen to it? The bridge, costing crores, had only a defect liability period of a year? It should have been at least for 25 years,” he added.

“The AMC has said the cost of reconstruction of the bridge will be recovered from the firm. How will this be possible if the firm has moved court and police also yet to make any arrests,” Pathan asked.