A key lane of the old Shastri Bridge in Ahmedabad, connecting Pirana Junction to Vishala Junction, will remain closed for 10 days to facilitate a detailed structural inspection, traffic police announced on Sunday.According to Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) N N Chaudhari, the left-side lane from Pirana towards Vishala will be shut daily between 11 am and 5 pm from September 1 to 10. Traffic will be diverted to the parallel bridge during this period.The inspection, led by the National Highway Division’s Executive Engineer, requires heavy machinery and follows earlier restrictions imposed on August 8 after deterioration was detected in several bearings and pedestals. Heavy and medium vehicles are already barred from using the lane.Officials have urged commuters to plan their travel to avoid congestion.The move comes amid heightened focus on bridge safety after the 2022 Morbi suspension bridge collapse that claimed over 135 lives, underscoring the importance of regular structural audits and timely maintenance, particularly for older bridges.
