Ahmedabad reviews road widening and traffic changes after overbridge opening

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation is examining corrective measures after the newly opened Makarba railway overbridge created traffic congestion near Corporate Road and the Sardar Patel Ring Road–SG Highway junction.

The bridge, constructed at a cost of Rs 98.60 crore, was inaugurated by Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel on September 24. It was intended to reduce delays at railway level crossing LC-24, where vehicles previously had to wait for trains to pass.

However, the bridge’s landing point has created a new traffic bottleneck. The four-lane structure meets Corporate Road close to a busy junction, leaving limited space for vehicles to merge, change lanes and disperse towards adjoining roads, reported The Indian Express.

Traffic congestion was reported soon after the bridge opened. On September 28, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) issued a show-cause notice to DELF Consulting Engineers (India) Pvt Ltd, the design consultant, asking it to explain the shortcomings identified in the bridge’s design.

The notice alleged that the design had not adequately accounted for traffic movement at the landing point and the resulting congestion posed a risk to road users.

AMC and the consultant subsequently conducted joint site visits. DELF submitted suggestions for corrective measures, which the corporation’s Bridge Project Department is examining.

The civic body has introduced a traffic-channelisation arrangement described as a capsule design. Road widening between Corporate Crossroads and SG Highway is also under consideration, subject to the necessary approvals. A traffic signal has been discussed as another possible intervention.

However, the corporation has not yet quantified the improvement resulting from the measures already introduced. Officials have said a comparison of traffic conditions before and after the changes would be required to assess their effectiveness.

DELF has denied negligence and requested that the show-cause notice be closed following joint technical verification. The consultant has argued that the original general arrangement drawing was reviewed by the state government’s Roads and Buildings Department and the Railways. It has also maintained that traffic conditions changed after the project was designed.

The corporation is examining the technical findings before deciding on further action. A permanent solution and the final outcome of the notice had not been confirmed in the latest report.

The case highlights the importance of integrating bridge design with junction geometry, road capacity and surrounding traffic conditions, particularly where elevated structures meet existing urban roads.