New two-lane bridge near Mujpur village in 18 months, Gujarat govt starts process
The new bridge, which will connect Padra to Anklav, will stand parallel to the recently collapsed bridge in which at least 20 people were killed. The government on Sunday also said that it has disbursed financial aid to the victims and the relatives of the deceased in the bridge collapse incident. Meanwhile search continued for the fifth day for 22-year-old Vikram Padhiyar from Narsingpura village of Anklav taluka who was on his way to Padra town with his friend Rajesh Chavda, where both worked in an electrical unit when their motorbike fell off the broken bridge. Chavda's body has been found while there is no trace of Padhiyar yet.
The release stated, 'A detailed project report was recently prepared by the Roads & Buildings Department after conducting a survey. And it was given an in-principle approval by the Chief Minister.'
'During this time, owing to the bridge collapse accident, issues of connecting central Gujarat with Saurashtra, employment of locals and commuting of students had cropped up. In view of that, the CM has given instructions to immediately build the bridge,' it also stated.
As explained by Superintending Engineer of the Roads and Buildings Department, N V Rathva, the existing two-lane Mujpur approach road will be widened to a 7-metre four-lane road, the release stated. The 4.2 km stretch from the highway to the bridge will also be expanded to four lanes.
The state government also said that it disbursed financial aid worth Rs 62 lakh to families of the deceased and the victims of the Gambhira bridge collapse. An official release by the government read: 'The State Government…has extended compassionate support to the families affected and injured in the Mujpur-Gambhira bridge accident. As part of the announced financial assistance, cheques totalling Rs 62 lakh were distributed today. This includes Rs 4 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured, handed over by MP Jasubhai Rathva and MLA Shri Chaitanyasinh Zala.'
It added, 'Considering the seriousness of the incident, this aid was approved immediately and disbursed without delay. As per the current list, cheques totaling Rs 62 lakh have been distributed, covering four injured individuals and the families of 15 deceased.'
With the state authorities having confirmed 20 deaths, one person, identified as Vikram Padhiyar, remained missing as on Sunday. Padhiyar had set out on a motorbike with his cousin Rajesh Chavda to their workplace in Padra. Chavda's body was found.
Following the tragedy, four engineers of the Roads and Buildings Department were suspended.
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