In a significant decision, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has announced that the ageing Subhash Bridge will undergo restoration instead of being demolished. The 52-year-old structure, a vital east-west link over the Sabarmati River near Sardar Vallabhbhai International Airport, was closed earlier this month due to safety concerns.
Expert Inspection Leads to Restoration Decision
Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani informed that the decision is based on a detailed structural inspection report. The report indicated that while the superstructure of the bridge has been compromised, the pillars and foundations remain sound. This finding paved the way for the restoration plan instead of a complete teardown.
"The in-depth structural investigation report of the existing bridge has revealed the superstructure has been affected but not the pillars or the foundations. So, this has to be removed and the bridge can be restored," Pani stated. He added that the restoration work is expected to take 9 to 10 months before the bridge can be reopened to traffic.
Closure, Inspections, and Traffic Impact
The bridge was first declared "completely closed for traffic" on December 4 after the AMC's Bridge Project Department noticed damage. The initial closure was until December 9, but it was extended to December 25 to allow for a comprehensive technical assessment.
This sudden closure of a critical artery has led to severe traffic congestion in the heavily used area. To ensure a thorough safety evaluation, the AMC coordinated with the state government's Roads and Building department and empanelled structural design consultants.
Plan for a New Bridge and Ongoing Technical Work
Alongside the restoration plan, authorities have also submitted a proposal to the state government for constructing a new bridge. This new structure could be built either above the existing Subhash Bridge or beside it. Commissioner Pani mentioned that this new bridge would most likely be a two-lane structure, as feasibility studies did not support a wider four-lane option.
The AMC has engaged a panel of premier technical institutions to assess the bridge's strength and explore repair methodologies. This elite group includes:
- Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee
- IIT Bombay
- IIT Gandhinagar
- Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT), Surat
Following an initial specialist visit, a recommendation was made to conduct an in-depth investigation of the bridge's foundation. A specialised agency has been assigned this task, and the foundation testing work is currently in progress. Modern technological methods are being employed to accelerate this comprehensive technical examination.
For now, the bridge remains closed, and officials confirm it is unlikely to be opened for traffic in the immediate future. The focus is on completing the detailed investigations and moving forward with the meticulous restoration plan for this important city landmark.
