Ahmedabad: Traffic congestion continues to be a daily source of dismay and anger for Amdavadis though the AMC has logged a two-decade drive to build flyovers, railway overbridges, underpasses and culverts. Between 2010 and 2026, 46 such structures were built to unclog roads, but the jams have been immovable.Bridge building in Ahmedabad has a storied history. “When the corporation was established in 1950, Nehru Bridge on the Sabarmati was under construction, and it was opened to the public in 1952,” an AMC source said. “Ellis Bridge was built in 1892. Between 1892 and 1949, several bridges, including the Kalupur railway overbridge (1915) and Sardar Patel River Bridge (1940), were constructed.” In 1950, the Shahibaug underpass was built. From 1950 to 2000, 10 bridges and underpasses were constructed. Between 2000 and 2026, 61 bridges, underpasses, and culverts were built, with 46 of them constructed over the past 16 years. Additionally, five foot overbridges were built, and the Mithakali underpass was reconstructed in this period. “Currently, the corporation is working on more than 10 flyovers, river bridges, and railway overbridges in various parts of the city,” another AMC source said. “A new bridge parallel to Chimanbhai Patel railway overbridge is being built.” The source added, “Flyovers are under construction at Panchvati Junction and Panjrapole Junction. A barrage-cum-bridge is being constructed over the Sabarmati.” Recently, the restoration of Subhash Bridge and the construction of two-lane bridges on both sides of the river were approved. “New bridges are under construction at locations like Vadaj Junction and Naroda Patiya Junction,” the source said. Sources said that in a meeting on Jan 24, 2025, the Road and Building Committee approved a proposal to conduct a traffic movement survey at 25 junctions. The central govt’s agency CSIR-CRR conducted the survey. “The survey revealed that Memco Junction had the worst traffic jams, followed by Victoria Garden Junction in Jamalpur and Shyamal Junction in the Satellite area,” an AMC source said. “In 2025, the corporation planned to survey these junctions and construct flyovers or underpasses. Traffic surveys are also being conducted at 10 junctions on SG Highway and SP Ring Road. Over the next decade, 35 junctions are planned for flyover or underpass construction.” The sources said, “In 1981, Ahmedabad covered 98.1 sq km. The city expanded to 190.8 sq km in 1991, 464 sq km in 2011, and 480 sq km in 2021.” With this growth, the population and the number of vehicles have increased, exacerbating traffic congestion. “When a bridge is built at one junction, traffic jams increase at nearby junctions,” the source said. “Therefore, alternative solutions beyond bridges and underpasses need to be considered.”
