Ahmedabad: Barely two weeks after the Makarba railway overbridge (ROB) was opened, the junction where its ramp meets Corporate Road has emerged as a traffic bottleneck. With the flyover descending directly onto a four-way intersection, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is now preparing to install a traffic signal at the junction to regulate vehicle movement and contain congestion.
bridges and controversies
The 636.9m-long bridge, inaugurated on Sept 24, connects Torrent Power Makarba with SG Highway via Corporate Road. AMC had initially adopted a “capsule” approach to address traffic movement at the junction, but the measure failed to provide the desired relief. Road widening work has also started around the junction.Civic sources said, “There is no option on an urgent basis other than installing a traffic signal to manage the traffic.” He pointed out that AMC has used a similar arrangement at several locations where flyovers descend close to major intersections.The Chanakyapuri railway overbridge, for instance, lands near Damru Circle, where a signal was installed to regulate traffic. The Ghatlodia railway overbridge, Jivraj Mehta railway overbridge and Dinesh Chambers flyover are other examples where junctions near bridge ends have faced congestion.The recently inaugurated Vadaj Junction flyover has also developed a similar bottleneck. One end descends near the Vadaj crematorium towards Gandhi Ashram, where a signal was installed before the bridge opened. Despite this, long queues reportedly build up on Sabarmati Riverfront Road during peak hours.At Damru Circle too, traffic queues can extend onto the railway overbridge during peak hours despite the presence of a signal, creating another congestion point for motorists.AMC is now looking to avoid such situations on upcoming projects. Traffic signals are proposed at Panchvati Junction and Panjrapole Junction flyovers, as well as the Hebatpur railway overbridge.The Makarba project had an estimated cost of Rs 87.3 crore, while the sanctioned tender was Rs 70.7 crore. The four-lane bridge has a width of 16.4m, including a 15.5m carriageway.
