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Alice is the third iron bridge in Gujarat after Morbi Suspension Bridge, Golden Bridge and Hope Bridge in Surat.
Read the story of Ahmedabad’s historic bridge
Dilip Patel
Ahmedabad, June 9, 2024 (Google translation from Gujarati)
Ellis Bridge built 131 years ago at a cost of Rs 4 lakh. Repair will be done for Rs 32 crore On July 8, 2024, the World Heritage City gave in-principle approval to allocate Rs 32 crore 40 lakh 50 thousand for the strengthening and rehabilitation of Ahmedabad’s 131-year-old heritage bridge Ellis Bridge. Rs 8 crore has been spent on 6 projects for the bridge. Thus, Rs 40 crore will be spent on the repair of Ellis Bridge. After 45 years of debate on demolishing or removing the bridge, the process of repairing the bridge finally started.
The first bridge of Ahmedabad city on the Sabarmati river was built in 1892 during British rule. Length 433.41 meters and width 6.25 meters. Built in 14 span bow-string type steel structure of 30.96 meters.
The steel structure of the historic bridge has been closed for use for 10 years due to the effect of weather and has become dilapidated and dangerous.
The state government will preserve the heritage of the heritage bridge and get it repaired with advanced technology in accordance with the times. After the collapse of the historic bridge of Morbi, the government has suddenly started work.
Old bridge
Perhaps the first bridge of Gujarat was connecting Madalpur village and Lal Darwaza of Ahmedabad. Which was made of wood. Morbi’s suspension bridge was 13 years older than Ahmedabad city’s first stick bridge Ellis Bridge. Gujarat’s first bridge collapsed in a flood in 5 years! Morbi Suspension Bridge – 144 years old. It can be considered as the second bridge of Gujarat. The Golden Bridge Bridge was built by the British on the Narmada River near Bharuch city in 1881 AD. Hope Bridge of Surat was built in 1877 AD on Tapi river in Surat city.
After the restoration of Ellis Bridge, this bridge will also be used for pedestrians. People can visit this heritage bridge and cherish historical memories. Structure design etc. will be done using bridge repair method.
Will work on Sunday grocery market.
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation proposed to the Urban Development Department.
Stranding and restoration work will be done. Repair of main truss joints, lower girder, lower stringers and replacement of lower joints. Installation of new bearings, lacing and bracing between composite pier structures will be replaced.
Anti-corrosion treatment will be done to protect the pier from corrosion. The dilapidated slabs of the lower deck will be removed and replaced.
Ellisbridge
Ellisbridge is a bridge in Ahmedabad, Gujarat which is more than 500 years old. It is located on the Sabarmati River and connects the western part of Ahmedabad to the eastern part. This arch bridge was the first bridge in Ahmedabad, built in 1892. Later in 1997 a new bridge was built on either side of it and it was named Swami Vivekananda Bridge, although it is still known as Ellis Bridge.
First Bridge of Gujarat
The original wooden bridge over the Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad was built by the British in 1870-71 at a cost of 54920 pounds. An original wooden bridge was built here by the British in 1870-71 at a cost of 54,920 pounds. Which collapsed due to the heavy floods of 1875.
The entire bridge was destroyed in the floods of 1875 except for two parts on the banks.
A new iron bridge was built in 1892 by engineer Himmatlal Dhirajram Bhachech and it was named Ellisbridge after Sir Buro Halbert Ellis, who was the Commissioner of the Northern Division. The steel for the bridge was imported from Birmingham. This bridge was constructed by Himmatlal at a cost of Rs 4 lakhs. The proposed cost was less than Rs 5 lakhs. The government got suspicious and thought that Himmatlal had used substandard material. A committee was formed for this and the investigation concluded that the material used was of high quality. To save the government’s money, Himmatlal was given Rao Sahab’s Iqlaab.
What about the previous one?
This historic bridge, reminiscent of its dilapidated condition and dilapidated steel frame structure, was to be made a heritage gallery. This walkway was to be made pedestrian-friendly. A design fee of Rs 71 lakh was decided to be paid.
Ellis Bridge is the first bridge in the city. The condition of the bridge has become dangerous. The bridge has become dilapidated and dangerous due to the weather.
In 2013, a proposal was made to demolish the Ellis Bridge. Because BRTS buses were to be taken from there. The plan was to demolish the historic Ellis Bridge and give its iron to the Statue of Unity. When such a decision was taken during Modi’s era, there was a huge uproar in Gujarat. So it was decided to hold an art exhibition there.
A historical plaque establishing Ellis Bridge is in the Sacrament Center Museum.
Corruption suspected from Gujarat’s first bridge
Built by engineer Himmatlal Dhirajram Bhachech. Ellis Bridge was named after Sir Borough Halbert Ellis, Commissioner of the Northern Division. The iron of this bridge was imported from Birmingham. Himmatlal got this bridge constructed for Rs 4,07,000. But its estimate was Rs 5 lakh. He built the bridge at a low cost.
Ellispool, connecting the eastern and western parts of Ahmedabad, was renamed after Swami Vivekananda.
It was repaired in recent years.
This bridge is the identity of old Ahmedabad with many incidents
Sakshi
The bridge stands as it is.
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation passed 8 proposals between 1973 and 2012 to demolish the Ellis Bridge. The decision was finally repealed after massive public protests. It was removed in 2013 in the face of public pressure.
Work was planned to make the Ellis Bridge safe.
The laboratory also closely studied the metallurgical aspects of bridges and load distribution.
Two consultants CASAD Consultants Pvt Ltd and Divine Labs had earlier repaired the Hope Bridge in Surat. The Ellis Bridge was studied by both.
The deck of the bridge was not in a position to bear the weight of heavy vehicles. So it had to be replaced. The iron pillars of the bridge were in good condition. It needs to be strengthened. It has 28 pillars and 14 arches made of a mixture of steel, concrete and light metal.
In 1983, HUDCO sanctioned a loan of five crores for the demolition of the Ellis Bridge.
It was to be developed as a tourist destination.
Once again it was decided to develop Ellis Bridge as a tourist destination. After getting approval from the Archaeological Department of India, the process of operation and designing was to start after 2023. Such a plan was announced many times but everything remained confined to papers.
The first bridge after independent India
The Nehru Bridge in Ahmedabad was constructed in 1960. Its bearings were not checked till 2021, it was not maintained. There are 12 bridges in Ahmedabad city today.
A real risk
In 2018, 250 bridges were found to be very weak. Which will break anytime. There are 35 thousand 731 bridges built by the Road and Building Department in Gujarat. Cities and National Highways and local self-government organizations can be others. There are 400 large bridges and 10 times smaller bridges in 8 major cities. Thus there can be 50 thousand bridges of all types in the entire state. (Google translation from Gujarati)
