HC notices Government over plight of Gandhi’s Dandi village

Gujarat High Court today took a dig on Union Govt and  issued notice to both the Governments after taking suo motu cognisance of the dilapidated condition of historic Dandi bridge from where Mahatma Gandhi began his salt march against the British rulers.

The Dandi bridge near the Sabarmati Ashram of Gandhiji in the city was damaged significantly due to fire couple of days ago. Based on media reports on the fire and dilapidated condition of the bridge which has historic importance, Justice A S Dave wrote a letter to the acting Chief Justice of High Court seeking action in the matter.

The Division bench of acting chief Justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya and Justice J B Pardiwala today took suo motu cognisance of the letter and issued notices to the Government of India, Gujarat government and the Ahmadabad Municipal Corporation.

The court has asked them to file affidavit in 15 days with regard to the condition of the Dandi bridge and efforts taken to improve its condition through repair and renovation.

A portion of the historic bridge was damaged after garbage below it caught fire two days ago. The wooden planks were burnt and a big portion of the floor of the bridge came down rendering it unusable.