Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel gave in-principle approval to allocate over Rs 32.40 crore for strengthening and restoring Ellis Bridge, a heritage bridge in Ahmedabad that has been closed for public use for the last 10 years.
Patel allocated the amount from the bridge component of Swarnim Jayanti Chief Minister Urban Development Scheme.
The state government has decided to strengthen and restore the heritage bridge to preserve its legacy and to undertake timely repair work with advanced technology, a statement issued by the government said.
It added that the structure will be designed using the bridge repair methodology, so that after restoration, the bridge can be used for pedestrians as well as visitors. With this, pedestrians will again be able to use the bridge to travel to and from the traditional Sunday bazaar held near the Victoria Garden along the Sabarmati river, it further said.
Ellis Bridge is the first bridge to be built over Sabarmati in Ahmedabad during the British rule in 1892. With a length of 433.41 m and a width of 6.25 m, the bridge comprises 14 span bow-string type steel structure of 30.96 m.
The statement said that as the steel structure of the bridge has become dilapidated and dangerous due to the effects of weathering, the work will include repairing joints of the main truss, bottom girder, bottom stringers and replacement of bottom joints. Also, new bearings will be installed and lacing and bracing between composite pier structures replaced as required.
Besides, anti-corrosion treatment, removal of dilapidated bottom deck slabs and renewal of existing piers will be carried out to protect the existing pier from corrosion.
