Morbi bridge opened without fitness certificate; collapses

The suspension bridge (popularly known as the jhoolta pool) over the Machchhu river, which had been closed for repairs for seven months, reopened on October 26 to tourists and the general public without a fitness certificate from the Morbi municipality. The municipality awarded the contract to Morbi-based Oreva Group (Ajanta Manufacturing) in March of this year to maintain and manage the bridge. Sandeepsinh Zala, Chief Officer, Morbi Municipality, stated that the bridge is a property of the Morbi municipality, but had been handed over to Oreva Group for maintenance and operations for a duration of 15 years. However, the private firm threw the bridge open to visitors without notifying the municipality and safety audit of the bridge couldn’t be conducted. A fitness certificate was not issued. Also Read Kerala MP demands elevated route, underpass on NH-66 Centre eyes state highways with high traffic for lane expansion