Gujarat : High Court Pulls Up Government Over Delay in Repairing Heritage Bridges in Gondal, IIT Roorkee to prepare DPR

Ahmedabad : The Gujarat High Court on Friday expressed displeasure with the state government’s approach to the repair of two dilapidated heritage bridges in Gondal, constructed around 125 years ago during the reign of Maharaj Bhavatsinhji. Consequently, the court directed the government to collaborate with IIT Roorkee, along with the aforementioned departments, to prepare a revised DPR that prioritizes both structural integrity and heritage preservation.

The court, comprising Chief Justice Sunita Aggarwal and Justice Anirudh Mayee, was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Yatish Desai of Gondal, highlighting the concerning condition of the bridges.

Advocate Rathin Rawal, representing the petitioner, drew the court’s attention to the urgent need for repairs, emphasizing the bridges’ historical significance and potential safety hazards. In response, the state government informed the court about a meeting held with various departments, including the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Rajkot Collector, Municipal Commissioner Rajkot, and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).

The meeting focused on a Detailed Project Report (DPR) submitted by a private organization. However, the court raised concerns that the proposed repairs, as outlined in the current DPR, might compromise the bridges’ heritage value.

The revised DPR is expected to take approximately 3-4 months to complete. However, the court expressed its disapproval of the state government’s tendency to rely solely on judicial intervention for decision-making. Chief Justice Aggarwal remarked, “The government should not wait for the court’s guidelines or act solely based on our directions. They possess the experience and expertise to address such issues independently. Routing everything through the courts is not the solution.”

The court further emphasized the importance of proactive action by the government, stating, “Don’t wait for the court to dictate every step. Take ownership and make your own decisions. The government affidavit claiming to work as per the court’s instructions needs to be rectified.”