Ahmedabad to Build Iconic Twin Bridges, Restore Historic Subhash Bridge in ₹250-Crore Revamp

AHMEDABAD, DECEMBER 27 — In a major infrastructure push, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has unveiled a comprehensive ₹250-crore project to not only restore the cracked 52-year-old Subhash Bridge but to dramatically expand it. The plan involves constructing new two-lane bridges on both sides of the existing structure, aiming to transform a critical river crossing into an “iconic” six-lane artery for the city.

The announcement, made by Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani on Friday, confirms The Indian Express‘s earlier report and significantly scales up the city’s response to the bridge’s sudden closure on December 4. The decision moves beyond mere repair to actively reshape Ahmedabad’s traffic future.

From Emergency Closure to a Future-Proof Vision

The over five-decade-old bridge, a vital link connecting Ranip and Shahibaug areas near the international airport, was closed after alarming cracks were spotted in its deck slab. Detailed inspections by experts from IIT Roorkee and SVNIT Surat concluded that while the pillars were sound, the superstructure was compromised and needed complete replacement.

“What began as a safety imperative has become an opportunity for visionary planning,” Commissioner Pani stated. “Considering the rising city traffic and future demand, we decided not to limit the project to restoration alone.” The resulting two-phase plan aims to address both immediate structural safety and long-term congestion.

The Two-Phase Blueprint: Restore, Then Expand

The project is a carefully sequenced engineering undertaking. A single tender for the entire Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) project, with restoration costing ₹110 crore, will be floated on Monday.

• Phase 1: The Nine-Month Restoration
  The existing cracked superstructure will be entirely dismantled. The original piers will be strengthened using micro-concrete jacketing and will support a brand-new superstructure built with modern steel composite girders. This restored central bridge will form the core of the new complex.

• Phase 2: The Two-Year Expansion
  Following restoration, entirely new two-lane bridges will be constructed on both the northern and southern sides of the old bridge. This will involve building new foundations and superstructures, ultimately creating a six-lane-wide crossing over the Sabarmati.

A Bridge with a Legacy, and a New Mandate

Constructed in 1973, Subhash Bridge has been a silent witness to Ahmedabad’s explosive growth. Its failure last month underscored the strain on the city’s aging infrastructure. The AMC’s expanded plan directly tackles this, aiming to create capacity that meets “future traffic requirements” and eases congestion between northern and central Ahmedabad.

For commuters, the timeline means navigating alternative routes for some time, but the promise is a vastly improved and safer passage. The project stands as a significant example of urban infrastructure planning where crisis management has been leveraged for substantial, long-term civic gain.