Move to sell Havelock bridge kept in abeyance

The Havelock Bridge across the Godavari in Rajahmundry. Photo: S. Rambabu

The Railway Board’s much-criticised move to sell the Havelock Bridge has been kept in abeyance. Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday asked board officials to first conduct a proper review.

Congress MP from Rajahmundry Vundavalli Arun Kumar told The Hindu he he had talked to Union Minister for Railways Mallikharjuna Kharge on Sunday and apprised him of the public sentiment against the Board’s decision to dismantle the bridge and sell the steel.

Build-Operate-Transfer

Mr. Arun Kumar said the State government wanted to lease the bridge’s ownership rights under a public private partnership.

He said he would speak to the Union Tourism Minister and the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister to take up the Havelock Bridge as a tourism project under Build-Operate-Transfer system.