The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has approved a Rs 250-crore project to revamp Subhash Bridge by repairing the existing structure and constructing two new parallel bridges on either side.
Mayor Pratibha Jain said a comprehensive plan has been prepared to restore the old bridge and add two new 2-lane bridges to ease traffic pressure. The repair of the existing bridge will take about nine months, after which it will be reopened to traffic while construction of the new bridges continues.
Subhash Bridge was shut to vehicles on December 4 after engineers discovered major cracks in the bridge deck and settlement in the superstructure. Built in 1973, the bridge had been in use for over five decades and serves as a crucial link between Ranip and Shahibaug.
Following its closure, detailed inspections were conducted by empanelled consultants along with experts from IIT Roorkee and SVNIT Surat. Their assessment recommended dismantling the existing superstructure to ensure public safety.
Considering rising traffic volumes, AMC decided to go beyond simple repairs. Municipal Commissioner B N Pani said the project will be executed in two phases under the EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) model over a period of two years.
In the first phase, the old superstructure will be removed and replaced with a new one using 38-metre steel composite girder spans. Existing piers will be strengthened with micro-concrete jacketing, seven new pillars will be added, and span lengths will be reduced to improve stability.
The second phase involves constructing two new 2-lane bridges on both sides of the existing bridge at the same level. These bridges will be built entirely from foundation to superstructure. A single combined tender will be issued for the entire project under the EPC model.
Of the total cost, around Rs 110 crore will be spent on repairing the existing bridge, while Rs 140 crore will be allocated for the two new bridges. The tender for the project will be floated on Monday.
Once completed, the upgraded bridge infrastructure is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion between the northern and central parts of Ahmedabad and cater to future traffic needs. The project is also seen as vital in view of the city’s preparations for the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and its bid for the 2036 Olympics, as Subhash Bridge provides key connectivity to the airport.