In a significant move to tackle chronic traffic congestion, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has unveiled an ambitious proposal to construct a new double-decker bridge over the existing Subhash Bridge. This would become the city's first such river bridge structure.
A Six-Lane Solution for Western Corridor Traffic
According to an AMC official who spoke on condition of anonymity, the proposed new bridge will be a substantial 1.5 kilometers long and feature six lanes. The planned alignment will connect the RTO Circle to the Shahibaug Underpass. One wing of this new structure is designed to descend onto the road leading to the Sabarmati Riverfront, near the Police Stadium.
The primary driver behind this innovative plan is the severe traffic bottleneck on the current route. Commuters from western neighbourhoods such as Nava Vadaj, Ranip, and Sabarmati, who primarily use Subhash Bridge to access the airport, face daily gridlock. The official pointed out that the road from RTO Circle via Subhash Circle to the end of Subhash Bridge is only 60 meters wide, creating a major choke point, especially with the main road from RTO Circle towards Gandhi Ashram being closed.
Subhash Bridge to be Repaired, Not Demolished
Importantly, the civic body has clarified that there are no plans to demolish the existing Subhash Bridge. Built in 1973, the bridge measures 453.75 meters in length and 12.85 meters in width. Following recommendations from experts who are currently inspecting its span and foundation, the bridge will undergo necessary repairs.
The official stated that this repair work could take six to eight months. Once completed, the historic bridge will be reopened, but likely restricted to light motor vehicles only. The bridge has been closed since the evening of December 4 after a crack was discovered across the width on the upper part of Pillar No. 9, with additional cracks observed in the parapet.
Focus on Future-Proofing City Infrastructure
The proposal for the double-decker bridge represents a forward-looking approach to urban infrastructure in Ahmedabad. By adding capacity vertically rather than just horizontally, the AMC aims to decongest a critical river crossing without requiring extensive new land acquisition. The plan has now been formally presented to the state government for approval.
This development underscores the city's ongoing efforts to modernize its transport network to keep pace with rapid growth and increasing vehicular traffic. The success of this project could set a precedent for similar infrastructure solutions at other congested corridors in the future.
