Rajkot is set to regain a crucial transport link with the inauguration of a new railway overbridge on Jamnagar Road on Saturday, more than two years after the aging 40-year-old Sandhiya Pool was closed to heavy vehicles and subsequently demolished. Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi will inaugurate the Rs 74.32 crore project, which is expected to ease traffic congestion in the western part of the city and benefit nearly 1.5 lakh daily commuters.
Project Delays Due to Administrative Reasons
The four-lane overbridge has been ready for use for some time, but its inauguration was delayed due to administrative reasons. According to Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) officials, the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct ahead of civic body elections and the subsequent process of appointing new office-bearers pushed back the opening. In the meantime, barricades remained in place at both ends of the bridge, frustrating commuters who continued to endure long traffic snarls on surrounding roads.
Expected Benefits for Commuters
With the bridge becoming operational, traffic movement on one of the city's busiest corridors is expected to improve considerably. The overbridge will not only benefit residents traveling within Rajkot but also thousands of motorists heading towards Morbi, Kutch, Jamnagar, and Dwarka. State Transport buses, which had been diverted through alternate routes during the bridge's closure, will now be able to resume operations via the Hospital Chowk corridor, reducing travel time and congestion.
Replacement of Old Structure
The new structure replaces the old Sandhiya Pool, which had become narrow and structurally weak with age. Concerns over its safety intensified after the tragic collapse of the Morbi suspension bridge in 2022, prompting authorities to restrict the movement of heavy vehicles on the old overbridge. The aging structure was eventually demolished to make way for the new four-lane railway overbridge designed to accommodate growing traffic volumes and improve connectivity in the city.
The bridge, a key link for GSRTC buses and inter-city traffic, was closed to heavy vehicles in 2022 following safety concerns. Since then, buses and other heavy vehicles have been forced to use alternate routes, increasing traffic pressure on the western part of the city, particularly the busy 150-Feet Ring Road.
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