The visually spectacular Atal Foot Overbridge was inaugurated by PM Modi in August 2022. Not even a year old, one of the eight transparent see-through tempered or toughened glass panes laid on the floor of the overbridge, developed a crack late on Wednesday afternoon.
The area has been cordoned off and the bridge is now closed to visitors. Meanwhile, the contractor of the project has been summoned to explain the reason behind the glass shattering “internally.”
“We have also constituted a team to investigate any compromise in the quality of glass used in the flooring. The cracks usually develop due to extremes of temperature or impact shocks in low-grade glass,” shared a senior Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (SRFDCL) official. Sources added that the glass slabs were not part of the original bridge design. The additions were made towards the completion of the project.
“There are eight layers of glass sheets that constitute the toughened glass slab. Only one of the internal layers has shattered. The glass slab is safe, but we have cordoned off the area to avert any possible mishap,” said a senior SRFDCL official.
DyMC west zone, SRFDCL, IK Patel said, “One of the internal layers of the tempered glass had cracked, but the glass slab is safe. There is a defect liability period of three years and the contractor has been summoned.”
The overbridge, located between Ellisbridge and Sardar Bridge, was constructed at a cost of Rs 74.29 crore. The construction was to be completed by September 30, 2020, but owing to Covid, the bridge project was delayed and finally inaugurated on August 27, last year.
The bridge has been built using 2,600 metric tonnes of steel pipes. The roof has been made of colourful fabric, signifying the kite festival, while its railing is made of glass and stainless steel. The bridge is 300-metre long and its width varies between 10 and 14 metres.
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