Ahmedabad: As public infrastructure projects get fast-tracked ahead of the 2030 Commonwealth Games, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) plans a deep dive into solutions that will ensure projects are executed without delays, and with foresight.AMC is gearing up to build flyovers at 35 major junctions, but this time, it wants to avoid the chaos that typically erupts when construction collides with unseen underground utilities. To prevent such delays, AMC plans to conduct a ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey, a deep mapping of underground water lines, drainage networks, power cables and telecom ducts before the flyover designs are locked. A proposal to appoint a consultant for the GPR survey will be tabled at the AMC roads and buildings committee meeting on Friday. An AMC official requesting anonymity said, “The city plans to build single or multi-junction flyovers at 35 junctions. With only four years left for the Commonwealth Games, the priority is to prepare a GPR survey report for timely completion of these projects. Before the tenders for these flyovers are approved, underground utilities will be relocated based on the report.”The AMC official said, “The feasibility report for the two-decked flyover at Iskcon Junction indicated that two BRTS bus stations might need demolition, which halted the plan. Meetings between officials and consultants have led to the decision to first relocate underground utilities. Work orders will be issued to contractors only after this, even though the tender has been finalized. Similarly, the tender for the Silver Star Crossroads flyover in Chandlodia was in the final stages, but will not be approved until utility lines are relocated as per the bridge design.” The CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), which carried out a traffic movement survey at these 35 junctions, submitted a priority report, necessitating a GPR survey before starting work on a flyover or an underpass. AMC’s connectivity and traffic solutions include double-heighted elevated corridor from Kharicut Canal near Odhav fire station to Kathwada Ring Road Junction and the approach to the Indore Highway.
