Hope Bridge pillar gives in,none injured

The 19th Century Hope Bridge connecting Rander with the main city of Surat suffered damage after its iron pillars supporting the approach towards the Chowk Bazaar gave in today afternoon.

No injuries were reported in the mishap.

Municipal Commissioner S Aparna rushed to the site with her staff from the Bridge Cell and examined the situation. Experts from the Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology also turned up at the spot. Finally,a decision was taken to bring down the bent portion as the bridge is no longer in use.

Aparna said: The Hope Bridge is a state government property and we have informed the Road and Building Department about the incident. The bridge was not in use for long as it had weakened. The entire bridge is made of iron and steel and rusting had rendered it unusable. We will bring down the bent structure and barricade the area to prevent public access.

The bridge was constructed over the Tapi in 1876 and named after the then British Collector who had commissioned the construction. Though Hope Bridge did serve the residents of Surat for long,in 1966 the Nehru Bridge was constructed. Hope Bridge was closed to traffic and was used mostly by the people for their morning and evening walks.

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