Congress Protests Slow Progress of Vapi Overbridge Construction with Unique Rituals
The industrial hub of Vapi witnessed a peculiar scene on Thursday as members of the Valsad District Congress Committee and the Youth Congress gathered to stage a creative protest against the prolonged delay in the construction of a major overbridge. The project, which is being built at an estimated cost of 140 crore rupees, has now entered its fourth year of construction without reaching completion. This significant delay has sparked widespread frustration among local commuters and residents who face daily traffic woes. To highlight the perceived bad luck or administrative inertia surrounding the project, Congress workers performed a ritual involving lemons and chilies to ward off the evil eye from the unfinished structure.
The demonstration was jointly organized by the Valsad District Youth Congress and the Vapi City Youth Congress. Starting at around 11:00 AM at the busy Jhanda Chowk area, the protesters voiced their anger against the slow pace of work. The theme of the protest was titled Remove the Evil Eye and Banish the Bad Luck, a symbolic gesture aimed at criticizing the authorities for the stagnant progress. During the event, Congress members were seen tying lemon and chili charms to the bridge pillars, breaking coconuts, and even offering flower garlands to the concrete structures. This unique form of protest was intended to draw public and administrative attention to a project that seems to be moving at a snail’s pace despite its massive budget.
For nearly four years, the Vapi overbridge project has been a source of constant headaches for the local population. The bridge is a vital link for the city’s infrastructure, intended to ease the heavy traffic flow characteristic of Vapi’s industrial zones. However, the unfinished work has led to narrowed lanes, dust pollution, and massive traffic jams that consume hours of productivity for thousands of vehicle owners every single day. Congress leaders at the site expressed their outrage, stating that the inaction of the administration is directly affecting the quality of life for common citizens. They argued that if a project worth 140 crore rupees cannot be finished in four years, it reflects a deep-seated failure in planning and execution.
Key figures present at the protest included Valsad District Youth Congress President Saad Boga, Vapi City Youth Congress President Varunsingh Thakur, and the Leader of Opposition in the Vapi Municipality, Khandubhai Patel. Other prominent attendees were Valsad District Secretary Farhan Boga and District Social Media Coordinator Amit Kamle, along with numerous party workers. These leaders collectively pointed out that the blame does not lie solely with the construction contractors but also with the local municipal governance. They highlighted that the lack of coordination between different government departments has brought the work to a virtual standstill in several sections of the bridge.
According to the Congress leadership, a primary reason for the delay is the failure of the Vapi Municipality to clear the path for construction. They alleged that water pipelines and drainage systems situated within the margin area of the bridge have not been relocated. Despite the project being in its fourth year, the municipality has reportedly been slow in shifting these essential utility lines. This failure to clear the site has prevented the construction teams from moving forward with the foundation and pillar work in specific areas. The Congress leaders demanded that the Vapi Municipality prioritize the relocation of these drainage and water lines immediately to ensure that the bridge work can proceed without further bureaucratic hurdles.
The protest served as a stern warning to the local administration. The participants emphasized that the citizens of Vapi are tired of empty promises and year-long extensions. By using traditional rituals like tying lemons and chilies, the party aimed to mock the administration’s inability to solve modern engineering and logistical challenges. They noted that while the government boasts about rapid infrastructure development, the reality on the ground in Vapi tells a story of neglect and mismanagement. The protesters insisted that they would continue to raise their voices until a clear timeline for the completion of the Vapi overbridge is provided and strictly followed.
As the city continues to grow as a major industrial center, the completion of this 140 crore rupee overbridge is seen as essential for its future. The current state of the construction site remains a bottleneck that stifles the movement of goods and people. The Congress party has called for an investigation into the causes of the delay and has urged the Vapi Municipality to act swiftly in removing the underground utilities that are currently blocking progress. For now, the lemons and chilies hanging from the bridge pillars stand as a silent but powerful symbol of public dissatisfaction with the slow pace of urban development in the region.
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