Ghaziabad: Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) plans to repair a damaged iron bridge connecting Karhera with the city forest after flooding in the Hindon weakened the structure, posing a safety risk. The project is set to cost around Rs 34 lakh.The city forest, spread across over 150 acres along the banks of the Hindon river, is a popular spot for residents to go for picnics or walks. It is dotted with a number of gazebos, and jeep and horse rides and a full-fledged riverfront. The 10-metre-long and 20-foot-wide iron bridge in question connects the main entrance to Karhera, but its rundown condition has made the forest harder for residents to access.“We plan to refurbish the bridge completely and a tender has been floated. We plan a complete facelift in about two months,” a GDA official said.Hari Om Sharma, a resident of Karhera, said that the bridge was frequented by both pedestrians and four-wheelers. The main access to the city forest area, however, is being used less now due to the rusted condition.“There are holes as big as one foot in some spots and the river flows below. If it is not attended to immediately, people or even vehicles may fall into the Hindon. Had it been maintained annually and had GDA applied paint and anti-corrosive materials on time, the situation would not have come to this pass,” Sharma added.The bridge is low-lying compared to the water level during monsoon season. Hyacinth often gets trapped beneath the bridge, impeding the flow of the river and leading to annual flooding in Karhera.In 2023, a plan was proposed to build a concrete bridge here, but the project has seen no traction since.
In 2023, a plan was proposed to build a concrete bridge here, but the project has seen no traction since
