The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) Standing Committee has approved development works worth ₹2,500 crore across the city, including a ₹240-crore project to renovate the Subhash Bridge, which was closed last year after structural defects were detected.
Standing Committee Chairman Devang Dani said on Thursday that the approvals include projects related to roads, drainage, water supply and other civic infrastructure across multiple wards of the city.
Dani said that road development projects worth about ₹600 crore were cleared, including approval for an iconic road corridor from Naroda to Narol.
“Development works worth ₹2,500 crore for the metropolis have been approved in today’s Standing Committee meeting. This includes road projects worth ₹600 crore as well as several works related to drainage and water infrastructure,” he said.
He added that the projects are aimed at supporting Ahmedabad’s long-term urban growth and infrastructure expansion.
“As a result, Ahmedabad’s development is progressing at rocket speed at the global level. With the 2030 Commonwealth Games expected in the future, infrastructure projects that accelerate development have been approved so that work progresses rapidly,” Dani said.
Speaking about the bridge project, Dani said the civic body has approved the renovation of Subhash Bridge, which had been closed earlier due to structural damage.
“Subhash Bridge had been closed after damage was detected. After completing the necessary technical procedures, the Standing Committee has now approved ₹240 crore for its renovation,” he said.
According to officials, the bridge will undergo major structural repairs and upgrades.
Mirant Parikh said the bridge serves as a crucial traffic corridor in the city.
“Subhash Bridge is like a lifeline for Ahmedabad as a large volume of traffic passes through it,” he said.
Parikh said the bridge had been closed earlier as a precaution after defects were identified.
“When both minor and major defects were detected in Subhash Bridge, it was immediately closed to ensure public safety and prevent any loss of life,” he said.
The renovation work will be carried out in two phases. In the first phase, the existing superstructure will be demolished and rebuilt, and the bridge structure will be strengthened. This phase is expected to take around nine months.
In the second phase, two additional two-lane bridges will be constructed on either side of the existing bridge, a project expected to take around 24 months.
The project will also include prestressed concrete girders, replacement of bridge bearings, waterproofing of the deck slab, a bituminous wearing coat, expansion joints and architectural lighting.
The Standing Committee also approved ₹250 crore worth of development works for improving various buildings and public locations, including facilities associated with Gujarat University and L. D. College of Engineering, as well as heritage buildings and temples.
In addition, the civic body announced plans to develop a Lotus Garden in South Bopal, inspired by major city attractions such as Kankaria Lake and Vastrapur Lake.
“Replicas of flowers from every state of India will be displayed in the garden, creating a unique attraction that will enhance the happiness index of residents,” Dani said.
The committee also approved an upgrade to the civic body’s complaint management platform.
Dani said the CCRS mobile application, through which residents currently register complaints via the helpline 155303, will be upgraded with artificial intelligence features.
“AMC will become the first municipal corporation in the country to introduce an AI-based complaint system. Earlier, complaints could be closed directly, but now photographs showing the status before and after the work will be uploaded,” he said.
The Standing Committee also approved the development of 25 additional traffic junctions across the city.
Dani said the civic body had earlier cleared the development of 100 junctions, and the new decision would extend the programme to more locations.
He added that works including community halls, urban health centres, bridges and footpaths in various wards were also approved as part of the ₹2,500-crore development package.
(IANS)
