Demand for Structural Audit and Digital Health Card system

‘Surajya Abhiyan’ submits memorandum to the Union Government

New Delhi – Frequent mishaps related to bridges have become a pressing issue as it involves security of people. In this background, an important  memorandum was submitted by Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS)’s ‘Surajya Abhiyan’ movement demanding the structural audit and digital health card system for all the bridges in the country. (Why doesn’t the Government carry out such structural audits on its own without a demand by people ? – Editor) This memorandum was forwarded to the Union Minister Nitin Gadkari (Road Transport and Highways), Manohar Lal Khattar (Housing and Urban Affairs and Power) and Shivraj Singh Chauhan (Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare). ‘Surajya Abhiyan’s Maharashtra State coordinator Mr Abhishek Murkute underlined the need for a nationwide policy in this regard.

Maharashtra and Bihar State models can be treated as ideals

It has been mentioned in the memorandum that Maharashtra Government issued an order on 30.06.2025 to all town councils, municipal corporations, and ‘Sthanik Swarajya Sanstha’ to conduct structural audits and maintenance of all bridges falling under their respective purview.

On the other hand, Bihar State has implemented digital ‘Health Card System’ with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Sensor Data and QR Code technology which helps in examining the condition of the bridges and the need for maintenance.

Safe Bridges means Safe India   

It has been stated in the memorandum that presently, there are about 1,60,000 bridges in India but many bridges among them are yet to be evaluated from the point of safety. In such a situation, mandatory structural audit and digital monitoring can prevent mishaps in future. It will also protect billions of rupees invested in basic amenities.

Union Govt should take early steps

Surajya Abhiyan has stated in its memorandum that implementation of this drive will help in safety of bridges all over the country and development of permanent basic services. The Central Government should give priority to public safety and formulate its national policy on this issue at the earliest.

The memorandum has been forwarded along with the copies of the news published about the ‘Health Card System’ for bridges in Bihar and Maharashtra Government’s order regarding structural audit.