Question : MAHATMA GANDHI SETU

(a) the name of the consultant/company that prepared the design and detailed project report and the amount paid to it;

(b) whether any other technology was available at that time or not and bridges constructed with other technologies are also in the same condition;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the company had provided any guarantee;

(e) if so, the time-limit of the guarantee and the time taken in its repair alongwith the total amount spent thereon and the tonnage capacity of the bridge subsequent to the repair works; and

(f) the likely life-span of the bridge and the reasons for not taking any action against the guilty?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a): M/s. Gammon India Ltd. had prepared the design and detailed project report(DPR). The bridge was constructed on lump sum contract prior to declaration of the road as National Highway. The amount paid for construction, design & DPR is Rs. 87.22 Crore. As the contract was on lump sum basis amount paid towards preparation of design and project report cannot be separated.

(b) & (c): Yes, Sir. Depending upon material for construction and structural configuration other types of technology were also available. The type adopted for Mahatma Gandhi Setu was found to be suitable as span provided was comparatively larger.

(d) & (e): No, Madam. Total expenditure on repair from 2001 to till date is Rs. 104.88 crore.

(f) No life span of the bridge was stipulated in the contract. However, bridges are normally expected to be in service for 50 years. The design of bridge components conformed with the standards prevailing at that time which has not proved successful today.