Iconic Bridge to take more time to start

Amaravati: With the decision of Amaravati Development Corporation (ADC) to invite fresh tenders for Iconic Bridge on River Krishna, the works of much-awaited bridge which was proposed to connect Bridge between Pavitra Sangamam and Amaravati Administration Area, may take more time to begin.

As the tenders submitted by three bidders last year were cancelled, the ADC invited tenders again a few days ago reducing the budget estimation by Rs 86 crore. According to chief engineer of ADC Moses Kumar, the estimation of bridge has been reduced to Rs 1,349 crore from the initial estimation of Rs 1,43.26 crore. 

He refused to explain the reasons, saying that the decision was taken on administrative grounds. The ADC invited the fresh tenders on Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) basis to design and construct Iconic Bridge across River Krishna.

The 3.2 km long, six-lane iconic bridge is designed connecting National Highway 65 at Pavitra Sangamam near Ibrahimpatnam in Krishna district to No 10 road in capital city, Amaravati. From Ferry at Ibrahimpatnam to Nandigama, the Krishna river divides Krishna and Guntur districts. Once the Iconic Bridge is completed, vehicles coming from Hyderabad can go to Amaravati directly and it will connect the two districts.

L&T Constructions, SP Singla Constructions and Sibmost Company as well as some architecture students have presented concept designs to the  ADC. Infrastructure major L&T submitted six designs to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in March, 2017. 

The Chief Minister wants the bridges to be iconic and inspirational one that truly reflects the culture of Andhra Pradesh. The ADC officials said that they had invited fresh tenders as the technical evaluation was not done properly when tenders were first invited in 2017. In fresh tenders, operation and maintenance (O&M) was included for five years only as against 10 years in early tenders. 

“Reducing O&M period to five years is one of the reasons for decrease in bridge estimation,” an official told The Hans India. Sources said that the Chief Minister had suggested that ADC expedite the tender process and complete the bridge as early as possible as it is vital in connecting National Highway 65 to the capital city.