The British-era suspension bridge collapsed in Morbi on October 30, killing 135 people. Known as 'Julto Bridge', this bridge was called the Taj of Morbi. This was Morbi's biggest identity. It's been a week since the accident. Rescue teams have left the scene. The sad remains of the bridge are hanging. But residents of the city continue to come to the banks of the Machu River. Administrative investigation and political allegations are going on regarding the accident, but the people of Morbi city are missing the grandeur and beauty of this bridge. Local people say that this bridge was like a jewel in the crown of Morbi. It was the biggest identity of the city. Voices have started getting louder about the restoration of this bridge.
This was the importance of the bridge
Tile dealer Devendra Patel is also one of the visitors to the banks of the Machu River. He says that this bridge was the identity of our city. I felt a void today when I did not see the Julto bridge on the way. Devendra says that in 1996 when the ticket price was 50 paise or one rupee, my friends and I used to park our cycles on one side of the river and take the help of this bridge to reach an engineering college on the other side. This bridge saved an additional distance of three kilometers. Often, we were let go without charge. Still, I used to reach the bridge every few days.
Popular Destinations for the People of Morbi
Kulin Thakur, a local hotelier, says that the suspension bridge used to be the hallmark of this city known for wall clocks and ceramic tiles. This bridge was the center of great attraction for outsiders as well as the local people. If we wanted a selfie, this place was perfect. If we wanted to take a walk, this bridge was a popular destination. We used to come here during the holidays. If any relative came, we used to take them to see the bridge.
This bridge used to connect Morbi
There are many tourist places around this bridge. Several famous temples, a palace, and a dargah are all within a kilometer radius of the bridge. The 233 m long and 1.25 m wide Julto bridge was inaugurated in 1879. It connected Morbi-1 and Morbi-2, the two parts of the city. Darpan Dave, president of the Natya Kala Charitable Trust based in Morbi, says that the then-ruler Waghji Thakor was fond of traveling abroad. He imported the material for the construction of this bridge after his trip to Europe.
thrilling bridge
Local cab driver Ritesh Prajapati says that this place has memories of my mother which draw me here. We often used to dive in the river, then its water was very clear. Girishbhai Joshi, who runs a paan shop in Morbi-2, on the other side of the bridge, says most people enjoyed swinging it. I remember people kicking it to swing it. People used to kick when there were two people on the bridge and when there was a crowd. That's what used to be the thrill of going on this bridge.
People hope this bridge will be built again
Girishbhai Joshi says that this bridge in Morbi was special for the local people. I hope one day it will be made again. Nagma, a resident, says that the river flowing below and the trees and plants on its banks were a great place to visit for residents of the city battling dust. My children often harassed me to take me to the bridge. We all used to find ourselves close to nature here now and then.
The crowd used to gather on weekends
Resident Saif Ibrahim says that on normal days, there are 10-15 people on the bridge. There is a crowd of 100 to 150 people on weekends. October 30 was the last Sunday of the long holiday, so the crowd had gathered more than capacity. Local businessman Jayeshbhai Patel says that if the 145-year-old technology had been around for so long, people had the option of blindly believing that modern techniques must have been used to make it safe.
resentment among people
People are outraged by the collapse of the bridge. People are struck by the absence of the grandeur that was Morbi's "identity". Vasantbhai Prajapati believes that this mishap could have been avoided. There are guards in every public park. But Orewa did not consider it appropriate to deploy security guards on the bridge. The company was just trying to work out the cost. Do people ask whether the police should not have been proactive about the crowd gathering at this place? Shouldn't the municipality have investigated whether the bridge is safe or not?
Will vote for the one who gets the identity back
Locals say that the bridge will have to be rebuilt. Darpan Dave, a resident, says that in the 2024 general elections, a politician promising to revive the bridge will be chosen. If a new bridge is built, it will not be like a 'Julto bridge' for the people of Morbi but still they want to build such a bridge. Only to keep his memories and identity intact. Locals want the "identity" of the city to be maintained.
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