Nashik civic body to conduct structural audits of all bridges after Pune collapse
Nashik: Following a recent fatal bridge collapse in Pune district, the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has expanded its plans to conduct structural audits of all 48 bridges within the city limits.
This decision comes as a critical measure to ensure public safety, especially with the Simhastha Kumbh Mela scheduled to take place in Nashik between 2026 and 2028.
Initially, the civic body had planned to audit 12 bridges in preparation for the Kumbh Mela. However, the tragic incident involving a bridge on the Indrayani river in Pune district, which claimed four lives, prompted a more comprehensive approach.
Nashik boasts of 48 bridges on Godavari river and its three tributaries — Nasardi, Waldevi, and Waghadi.
Seven of these bridges were constructed for the last Simhastha Kumbh Mela in 2015.
An NMC official confirmed that these widespread structural audits will be carried out to prevent any unfortunate incidents, particularly during the anticipated high footfall of the upcoming Kumbh Mela. The civic body intends to strengthen any structures identified as needing work based on the findings of these audit reports.
"Earlier, the structural audits of some bridges were carried out by the smart city corporation.
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However, the structural audit of all the bridges is now to be carried out in view of the upcoming Kumbh Mela," the official said.
Two years ago, the NMC conducted a structural audit of the century-old Ahilyabai Holkar bridge and some other bridges. These bridges were found structurally fit during the audits. Ahilyabai Holkar bridge was built in 1895 on Godavari river.
Gadge Maharaj and Ram Setu bridges are over six decades old.
The latter was built in 1955, while the former was built in 1956. Both bridges connect the old Panchavati and old Raviwar Peth areas of the city. There is a huge movement of pedestrians through these bridges on a daily basis. The structural audits of both bridges were done by the smart city corporation around two to three years ago.
The NMC is also constructing nine new bridges on the Godavari river and its three tributaries in view of the upcoming Kumbh Mela. The tender process for this has already been started by the civic administration.
Around 5 crore people are expected to visit Nashik during Kumbh Mela.
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