The Hatkeshwar flyover in Ahmedabad, constructed in 2017 at an expense of Rs 40 crore, is expected to be demolished after years of structural instability rendered it unusable. Following multiple failed attempts, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) appears close to awarding the demolition contract to Shree Ganesh Corporation of Mumbai, which placed the lowest bid&mdash;below the civic body&rsquo;s tender estimate of Rs 9.31 crore.
The overpass, built by contractor Ajay Engineering Infrastructure Pvt Ltd. (AEIPL), began showing signs of degradation just months after it opened. Despite repeated closures for repairs, problems persisted, eventually leading to the bridge being shut entirely to traffic in 2022. The one-year defect liability period offered little recourse once the extent of the damage became evident.
Investigations into the flyover&rsquo;s rapid deterioration were conducted by IIT Roorkee, SVNIT, and three independent laboratories. These assessments identified major construction flaws, including inferior concrete, incorrect water-cement ratios that caused porosity, carbonation damage, and inadequate cement levels. A final report by a three-member panel confirmed the structure&rsquo;s compromised integrity and recommended its complete demolition.
AMC formally announced the decision to dismantle the bridge in April 2023. The then Commissioner M Thennarasan declared that the builder AEIPL and project management consultant SGS India Pvt Ltd. had both been blacklisted. Disciplinary action was also taken within the municipal corporation: four officials were suspended and inquiries were launched against four others.&nbsp;
Additionally, police registered an FIR against eight members of AEIPL and SGS under IPC sections 120(B), 406, and 420. AMC has indicated that it intends to recover all expenses related to demolition and reconstruction from the original contractor.
Efforts to initiate the demolition have faced hurdles. Three earlier tenders received no responses, while a fourth&mdash;valued at Rs 51.7 crore&mdash;saw a Rs 118 crore proposal from a Rajasthan-based company, Pungaliya. That bid was dismissed by a five-member committee after technical evaluation.&nbsp;
Amid pressure and delays, the AMC floated a new short-term tender in June 2025, this time focused solely on the demolition, estimated at Rs 9.31 crore. Four companies responded.
Among them, Shree Ganesh Corporation emerged as the lowest bidder. A senior AMC official, familiar with the process, told Benefit News, &ldquo;Till now, the proposal has not gone to the Standing Committee for approval. Yes, there are four firms involved and Shree Ganesh Corporation is one of them. Shree Ganesh is also an L1 bidder, which is cost-effective and beneficial for the corporation. As an L1 bidder, there are higher chances that the project will be awarded to Shree Ganesha. The process of sending the proposal will take at least 15 days to place in front of the Standing Committee.&rdquo;
The original construction, executed between 2015 and 2017 for Rs 34 crore, quickly came under scrutiny after the first cracks appeared in March 2021. A comprehensive report in May that year confirmed the poor workmanship. Despite several recommendations from institutional experts urging reconstruction, administrative delays and political interference stalled progress. The previous Rs 113 crore proposal for demolition and rebuilding by Pungaliya was shelved under political pressure.
Now, with Shree Ganesh Corporation poised to take on the task, AMC&rsquo;s renewed effort may finally clear the long-standing obstacle. The proposal will next be presented to the roads and buildings committee, followed by submission to the Standing Committee for final approval, after which the dismantling of the bridge is expected to begin.
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AMC nears final approval to dismantle Ahmedabad’s damaged Hatkeshwar flyover after fresh bids.

Mumbai Firm Likely to Demolish Hatkeshwar Bridge

AMC nears final approval to dismantle Ahmedabad’s damaged Hatkeshwar flyover after fresh bids.

July 7, 2025 | 15:12 IST