Latest news with #Auda


Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Cept to draft 3.1cr urban mobility plan
Ahmedabad: The Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (Auda) has commissioned Cept University to prepare a new comprehensive mobility plan (CMP) as part of its long-term urban mobility strategy for the city. The Rs 3.10 crore project will guide transportation infrastructure and public transit integration over the next two decades, aligning with the upcoming City Development Plan 2041. This development comes after Auda's previous mobility plan, prepared in 2021 for Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, could not be effectively implemented. It had been developed by Urban Mass Transit Company Limited (UMTC) with Cept University working as its subcontractor. "Auda's current jurisdiction spans 159 villages and five municipalities — Sanand, Kalol, Bareja, Dahegam, and Mahemdabad — across Ahmedabad, Mehsana, Gandhinagar and Kheda districts," said a senior Auda official, adding, "The authority has emphasized the need for comprehensive transportation planning covering the next 20 years." You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad "The new mobility plan will integrate various public transport agencies including metro, state transport, AMTS, BRTS, mono rail and regional rail to enhance public transport capacity and effectiveness," said the Auda official. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo With India aspiring to host the 2036 Olympics, this plan becomes crucial for providing integrated and seamless transport services." The approval process began when Auda wrote to the state govt's urban development department (UDD) on Oct 12, 2023, followed by another letter on Feb 6 last year. "Auda had earlier requested approval and financial assistance under a sub-scheme of the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs, which subsequently granted in-princple approval with consultant expenses covered," said the Auda official. Cept University, listed at No. 23 on the state ministry's empanelment list for transportation planning consultants, was invited to submit technical and financial bids on Jan 22 this year. The university initially proposed Rs 3.25 crore on Feb 6, but agreed to Rs 3.10 crore after negotiations. Auda's board approved the appointment in June. In Dec 2014, Auda had developed the City Development Plan 2021. This too had transportation standards in focus. "The new development plan 2041 will be Auda's first comprehensive approach to 20-year transportation planning for an expanded metropolitan area of Ahmedabad," the official added.


Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
5 faulty flyovers, but action taken only in 1 in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad: Despite recurring structural and safety issues in five major flyovers built in the last decade by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (Auda), municipal authorities on Thursday took action in only one case — the Hatkeshwar flyover. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now On Thursday, AMC's standing committee approved the demolition of the Hatkeshwar flyover in Khokhra, just five years after its Rs 34 crore construction. This marks the first such demolition in the city's 152-year civic history. The remaining four cases continue without punitive action against contractors or consultants, raising serious concerns over accountability and public safety. Deputy municipal commissioner Mirant Parikh confirmed that the Hatkeshwar bridge will be dismantled from the pile cap bottom level at a cost of Rs 3.90 crore. "The process will take six months, and the cost will be recovered from Ajay Eng Infra Pvt Ltd, the original contractor, by withholding payment for the Pallav Junction flyover in Naranpura," said Parikh. AMC has blacklisted both the contractor and the project management consultancy, suspended four officials, and initiated inquiries — measures almost absent in other similar cases. A series of structural failures and quality lapses have repeatedly raised questions about oversight, accountability, and long-term safety in public infrastructure projects executed by the two civic bodies. In 2015, a portion of the Khokhra Railway flyover collapsed, injuring one person, yet no formal investigation into negligence was carried out. Two years later, Auda's Vakil Saheb flyover developed a significant pothole days after opening — again, with no punitive action taken. In 2021, the slab of the under-construction Mumatpura flyover collapsed, but no significant action has followed, even after four years. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Likewise, in July 2022, a pothole appeared on the Khodiyar Container Overbridge on SG Highway, but there was no public disclosure of any disciplinary measures. In yet another case, Auda's Rs 96 crore Sanathal flyover on SP Ring Road developed potholes merely three months after its May 2023 inauguration. Though resurfacing work was ordered, no penalties were imposed on the contractor. Flyover Faults Persist, Action Remains Rare 1. Khodiyar Container Overbridge (July 2022): A large pothole appeared under the Khodiyar Container Overbridge just a year after opening, exposing soil erosion likely caused by drainage leakage. Temporary fixes were applied, but no investigation, penalties, or repair audits were made public. 2. Mumatpura Flyover Slab Collapse (Dec 2021): A slab of the under-construction Auda's Mumatpura flyover collapsed in Dec 2021. Though an inquiry was initiated, no report was released. The contractor resumed work despite an order that he won't be allowed to participate in Auda tenders for three years, facing only limited restrictions. 3. Vakil Saheb Flyover, Bopal (2017): Days after its inauguration, a major pothole appeared on the Vakil Saheb Flyover. Auda dismissed it as minor and unrelated to structure. No inspection report was released, and the contractor faced no penalties or blacklisting. 4. Khokhra Railway Flyover Collapse (Oct 2015) The 50-year-old Khokhra Railway Flyover partially collapsed, injuring one person. Though it was later rebuilt at Rs 75 crore, no inquiry was conducted into why the deteriorating structure remained operational or how the collapse occurred. BOX 2 Tumultuous decade (2015-2025) Project Overview: Cost Rs 34 crore; Contractor: Ajay Eng. Infra Pvt Ltd Work order issued : April 2015 Construction completed : Oct 2017 Structural Issues: Six cracks appeared between 2017 and 2022; a major crack in July 2022 led to its closure. The bridge has remained shut for three years Material Testing: Core cutting tests in Mumbai and Ahmedabad labs showed only 20% compression strength Official Action: AMC issued over 10 notices to the contractor and PMC SGS India Pvt. Ltd.; SVNIT, Surat recommended demolition Expert Review: A panel including an IIT Roorkee professor and two consultants reviewed the case; pillar strength was also tested Accountability : AMC blacklisted the contractor and the project management consultant (PMC), approved cost recovery, and filed a police complaint in April 2023 Demolition Plan: Tenders for demolition and reconstruction (Rs 51 crore) were floated in March 2024; approved on July 10, 2025 after multiple failed attempts


Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Conor McKendry on why he's so sure Larne will find killer touch in Riga and make Euro progress
Conor McKendry says Larne will travel to Latvia with strong belief after the goalless draw with Auda at the Ballymena Showgrounds. Both sides created opportunities in the first leg of their Uefa Conference League First Qualifying Round tie but failed to find the net.


Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Why flyovers in Ahmedabad cost more than planned
Ahmedabad: The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) have struggled with delays and cost escalations in their infrastructure projects over the past decade. Construction of flyovers, railway overbridges, and underpasses has been marred by design changes that have increased project costs and timelines. An analysis of 10 major infrastructure projects reveals a pattern of poor planning, lack of coordination between agencies and mid-project design changes that have collectively added crores to the public exchequer while leaving citizens waiting for completion. 1. I-T flyover: Three disputes drive up costs Despite the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) recommending a four-lane, 16.50-metre-wide flyover on priority, AMC constructed a five-lane bridge spanning 20.50 metres. The project cost ballooned from the estimated Rs 59.59 crore to Rs 65.51 crore. An additional Rs 10 crore was spent on special steel structure to preserve Gandhi's statue beneath the bridge, highlighting the lack of comprehensive site surveys during the planning phase. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad 2. Ranip flyover: Land dispute, two-yr-setback What began as a 24-month project in 2013 stretched to five years due to regulatory hurdles. The Ranip GST crossing flyover construction was delayed by a year initially due to lack of approval from the railways. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ada jeragat, terus nampak tua! Minum ni je, beli kat Guardian URUHIME MOMOKO Undo The project required 5,000 sq m of railway land, which the railways withheld for two years. Eventually, AMC had to arrange a land exchange deal costing Rs 50 crore to proceed with construction. 3. Ajit Mill junction: Oversight delays project The Ajit Mill junction flyover, initially estimated at Rs 41 crore, was tendered for Rs 50.30 crore. Despite its inauguration in Dec 2021, the project faced over a year's delay when construction workers discovered a major water trunk line beneath the site. This necessitated design changes and halted work.4. 4. Pallav flyover: High-tension line added Rs 18cr Approved for Rs 64 crore in 2017, the project was eventually tendered for Rs 104.16 crore. Moving high-tension power lines underground added approximately Rs 18 crore to the budget. The CSIR report did not recommend a flyover at Naroda Pallav junction, yet AMC proceeded with construction. The project was inaugurated in May 2025, two years behind schedule. 5. Dehgam Circle flyover: Two-year delay Poor coordination between Auda and Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited (GETCO) led to a two-year delay in the SP Ring Road's Dehgam Circle flyover. Work was halted midway to shift high-tension power lines underground. Despite Auda depositing funds with GETCO, underground work did not start for two years, pushing the completion date well beyond the original Jan 1, 2021 deadline. 6. Ghuma-Shej flyover: Rs 80cr project unused Six years ago, Auda began work on a railway overbridge connecting Ghuma and Shej, costing Rs 80 crore. Although completed six months ago, one end of the bridge remains closed due to private land and compound walls, preventing its use for traffic. 7. Panjrapol flyover: Direction changed The Panjrapol flyover project faced directional changes that sparked public debate. Initially, CRRI-CSIR recommended a split flyover with two lanes each at Navrangpura Panjrapol junction. However, an IITRAM report led to a decision to construct the flyover from the govt polytechnic college towards IIM-A, requiring a new tender before work began. 8. Hatkeshwar flyover: Poor quality, to be razed The standing committee approved the demolition of the poor-quality Hatkeshwar flyover bridge in the Khokhra area, built for Rs 34 crore, which deteriorated within five years. It will be demolished at a cost of Rs 3.90 crore. This is the first time in AMC's history that a flyover is being demolished due to poor construction quality within five years of completion. 9. Jalaram underpass: Open-shut case The underpass in Paldi was inaugurated by the CM on March 4, 2024, only to be closed to the public within hours. The inauguration proceeded despite incomplete work, including pending tower removal. The project cost escalated from Rs 45 crore to Rs 83 crore due to utility relocation and other works. 10. Sattadhar flyover: Defect liability dispute The under-construction Sattadhar junction flyover, approved at Rs 81.49 crore in April 2023, has been embroiled in defect liability disputes. Initially set at three years, the defect liability period was extended to five years following the Hatkeshwar bridge controversy. But when the contractor demanded more money or tender cancellation, the standing committee reverted to the three-year liability period within a month.


Time of India
24-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Full circle: Gujarat government revives third ring road plan for Ahmedabad
Gandhinagar: Fast-paced growth and the ambition to host the 2036 Olympics are pushing Ahmedabad to rethink its infrastructure. The state govt has, in principle, decided to revive the long-dormant third ring road project, proposing more than 100 TP schemes for speedy land acquisition. Officials say the corridor is essential to easing pressure on existing roads. The plan may be finalised by the end of next year. Originally outlined in a draft development plan 19 years ago, the third ring road had seen no movement in terms of land acquisition or groundwork, until now. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad "Given the rising pressure on the existing 132-ft Ring Road and Sardar Patel Ring Road, as well as a growing need for enhanced connectivity, the state govt has decided to accelerate the third ring road project. The potential for hosting the Olympics, has prompted us to reprioritize this long-delayed plan," said a senior official. Officials said that the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (Auda), Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), and the urban development department (UDD) are now jointly working to fast-track this initiative. Sources involved in the planning process said the new development plan will include the third ring road with possible route refinements. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Wittmund: Nur 700 Plätze. Werden Sie Testhörer für die neuen Hörgeräte ohne Zuzahlung. Gutes Hören Undo "Keeping the Olympics and long-term growth in mind, the govt has decided to give the third ring road top priority in the new development plan. Experts have broadly agreed to proceed with the previously proposed alignment, with small modifications if necessary," a source said. Officials pointed out that the traditional method of road development through revenue rules can trigger legal complications and result in years of delay. Instead, the govt is opting for TP schemes, which are more structured and efficient. "This method ensures both quicker land acquisition and planned growth along the corridor," a source added. The proposed third ring road will likely be one of the largest town-planning undertakings ever seen in Gujarat. "By the end of 2025, the new draft development plan, along with a new action plan for the third ring land acquisition using over 100 TPs, is likely to be ready," sources added.