One side of the Shastri Bridge, which connects Vishala to Narol and was closed for traffic in December 2023, has now been opened for vehicular traffic following repairs and refurbishment.
In June last year, a photo of this 40-year-old bridge, which connects the Vishala area of Vasna in western Ahmedabad to the industrial areas of Narol and Pirana in eastern Ahmedabad, went viral, highlighting the urgent need for joint repairs. The bridge repair work began in December 2023 and continued until now. During this time, commuters faced traffic congestion and jams on the operational side. However, with the opening of the refurbished side, that issue will be resolved.
To address the slow progress of the repairs, Vejalpur MLA Amit Thacker had raised the issue with officials from the National Highway Authority during the Collector’s Coordination Committee meeting, urging them to expedite the work. He proposed completing the bridge before Diwali to prevent inconveniences for the public. As a result, the repair work on the bridge has now been completed, and traffic has started moving in both directions.
Although one side of the bridge has been repaired, the repair work on the Pirana to Vishala route is still pending. Due to the increased traffic during this period, that side has developed potholes, and the joints also need leveling. However, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has been instructed to carry out these repairs after Diwali because if the work is conducted during the festival, traffic jams will likely arise again during the festive season.