Rajkot: The newly built four-lane Jamnagar Road railway overbridge, popularly known as Sandhya Bridge, is ready for use but remains closed as the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) has not yet announced its new office-bearers, delaying the bridge’s formal opening.The old two-lane bridge was torn down and replaced with the new structure at a cost of Rs 74.32 crore. The bridge has been shut since May 2024, forcing an estimated 1.5 lakh daily commuters to take narrow detours through the Bhomeshwar area.During peak hours, motorists face heavy traffic congestion and long waits at railway crossings because of the closure. Although construction was completed days ago, the bridge has not been opened to the public.Opposition parties demanded immediate opening of the bridge, citing the hardships of commuters. To prevent premature use, authorities have blocked the entry with a mud wall and deployed police personnel at the site.The RMC has also installed an empty inauguration plaque, reportedly pending confirmation of the names of the new office-bearers. According to sources, the civic body plans to invite chief minister Bhupendra Patel to inaugurate the bridge alongside other projects once the new RMC team is announced.Reports suggest the names of the new office-bearers are likely to be declared from Gandhinagar next week. The appointments were delayed due to the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Gujarat and prolonged deliberations after the local body election results were declared on April 28.Gayatriba Vaghela, vice-president of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee, in a representation to the municipal commissioner, said: “The bridge has already received clearance for public use from the authorities and should be opened without further delay to end the ordeal of commuters.”In-charge municipal commissioner Anandu Suresh Govind said, “Finishing work on the bridge is underway, which may take three or four days. We plan to open the bridge as soon as possible.”
