Ahmedabad today stands as a city crisscrossed not just by flyover bridges and railway bridges, but by controversies that raise serious questions about governance, planning and accountability. One after another, key infrastructure projects have become symbols of poor execution, cost overruns and administrative lapses. With municipal corporation elections approaching, the BJP’s reputation is clearly at stake, as public anger mounts over bridges that were meant to ease traffic but instead became long-running liabilities.
The BJP’s image has taken a hit as flyover bridges and railway bridges constructed across various parts of Ahmedabad continue to be embroiled in controversies for different reasons. According to a report in a vernacular daily, apart from the Hatkeshwar Bridge, projects such as Panjrapol, Pallav Junction, Ranip Railway Parj and the Income Tax Flyover Bridge have remained under a cloud for years. The real political and public impact of these bridge controversies is expected to become evident after the results of the upcoming general elections of the municipal corporation.
With the recent expansion of city limits, a rising population and increasing pressure of vehicles, traffic congestion has turned into a routine problem across almost every area of Ahmedabad. Despite this, the bridge project department of the municipal corporation has completely failed to formulate a clear and effective long-term plan to reduce traffic jams, exposing a serious gap between infrastructure needs and administrative vision.
The Hatkeshwar Bridge stands out as one of the most glaring examples of failure. Built in 2017 at a cost of Rs 40 crore, the bridge remained operational for only two to four months. Due to poor quality construction, it was shut down and is now being demolished by Shree Ganesh Construction. Although some officials were suspended after being held responsible, the corporation has kept the investigation into the Hatkeshwar Bridge in the dark, raising questions about transparency and accountability. The bridge was originally constructed by contractor Ajay Infacon, and after years of uncertainty, the final decision to demolish it was taken in 2025.
Expert recommendations have also been repeatedly ignored or altered. The Central Road Research Institute had suggested constructing a split two-lane flyover from Vijay Cross Road towards Nehru Nagar. However, the authorities changed the direction of the bridge based on a report by IIT Ram. Similarly, despite an assurance given in the High Court that no trees would be cut for the construction of this flyover, a large number of old and stunted trees were felled. This episode highlighted how the contractor’s convenience was prioritized over environmental concerns.
Another embarrassing episode involved the Jalaram underpass, built jointly by the Railways and the Municipal Corporation at a cost of Rs 83 crore. The underpass had to be closed within hours of its inauguration by the Chief Minister after the administration realized that two mobile towers on the road had not yet been removed, reflecting shocking negligence in planning and coordination.
Delays and cost escalations have plagued several other projects. The report further states that the Ranip Flyover Bridge, which was supposed to be completed within two years, was finally completed only in 2023. A major reason for the delay was the two years taken to acquire 5,000 square meters of land from the Railways, for which the corporation paid Rs 50 crore.
The Ajit Mill Flyover Bridge, inaugurated in December 2021, also ran into trouble soon after opening. Authorities later realized that a major water main line passed beneath the bridge, forcing a change in the bridge design after construction had already begun.
At Pallav Junction, the flyover bridge approved in 2017 faced similar planning flaws. The Central Road Research Institute had recommended an underpass instead of a flyover. During construction, it was discovered that a high-tension power line passed overhead, requiring it to be shifted underground at an additional cost of Rs 18 crore.
The Income Tax Flyover Bridge too became controversial due to deviations from the original plan. While a four-lane bridge was suggested, a five-lane bridge was ultimately constructed. An extra Rs 10 crore was spent on relocating Gandhiji’s statue and building additional structures.
The Panjarapol Flyover Bridge project also saw major changes. The proposal to build the bridge from Vijay Char Rasta towards Nehru Nagar was rejected. Eventually, the bridge work was awarded at a cost of Rs 78.61 crore, significantly higher than the original estimate of Rs 62 crore.
Even in newer projects, concerns persist. Approval for the Satadhar Flyover Bridge was granted in 2023, and notably, its defect liability period was extended to five years instead of the usual three years—an indication that authorities themselves anticipate potential issues.
Together, these flyover and railway bridge projects paint a troubling picture of Ahmedabad’s infrastructure planning, where expert advice is sidelined, costs spiral upward, and public inconvenience continues unabated. As elections near, these bridges of controversy may well become bridges to political accountability.
Gujarat Congress Spokesperson, Manish Doshi, told Vibes of India that the flyovers and bridges have always remained controversial for various reasons. He alleged that the engineering team does not apply mind when the work is executed and proper surveys are also not undertaken. Doshi alleged that majority of the work is done through consultants. He further alleged that there is largescale corruption in the construction of these bridges and flyovers.
Also Read: 1,000 days Of Hatkeshwar Bridge Decay And Price Of Civic Negligence https://www.vibesofindia.com/1000-days-of-hatkeshwar-bridge-decay-and-price-of-civic-negligence/
