Just months after officials claimed bridge inspections were completed, large cracks on Ahmedabad’s Subhash Bridge have revealed serious flaws in the city’s maintenance system.
Bridge checks, normally done before and after the monsoon, were delayed this year. Although officials recommended bearing replacement and close monitoring for Subhash Bridge, no repairs were carried out. The inspection report also skipped mentioning the prestressed wires inside the structure.
Now, cracks two to three inches wide have appeared, along with a slight cave-in on the Shahibaug side. Police Commissioner GS Malik inspected the site and ensured the bridge was sealed off for public safety.
Traffic chaos across the city
Despite diversion routes, massive jams were reported near Ranip D-Mart, Parikshitlal Bridge, and the Riverfront stretch. Another 150 police personnel were deployed, but with the bridge likely to stay closed for weeks, commuters fear long-term inconvenience.
Initial reviews suggest the pillars are intact, but a slight sinking may have damaged prestress cables, causing the span to dip. A detailed report is awaited.
Repair plans underway
Municipal teams and structural experts have started assessments, with consultants asked to propose two or three repair options.
Opposition demands citywide bridge audit
Opposition leader Shehzad Pathan demanded a scientific audit of all bridges, questioning past inspections and accusing the authorities of ignoring safety warnings after the Morbi tragedy. He also urged the government to make earlier inspection reports public.