Bhavnagar, 11 August 2012

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today opened a cable-stayed bridge connecting Bhavnagar to Bhal region.

The new bridge has been erected on Bhavnagar creek replacing ‘Lakkadia pul’, which was swept away by heavy rain in 2007. The bridge reduces distance between Bhavnagar and proposed Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) as well as Ahmedabad. The 135-m-long four-lane bridge near old Bhavnagar port gives second entry point to the city from Ahmedabad. The bridge that has reduced distance to Bhavnagar by 30 km is expected to change economic dimension of around 30 villages of Bhal area, considered to be backward. The load of traffic from and toward Chitra industrial zone road will be reduced once the bridge construction is complete.

‘Lakkadia pul’, near old Bhavnagar port collapsed in 2007 due to heavy rain. The bridge was then used just by pedestrians or cyclists and was the only connecting link between Bhavnagar and Bhal. Hence, it is very important for hundreds of daily wagers from Bhal region who come to Bhavnagar for work.

Earlier, people used this bridge to reach salt pans, shipbuilding yards of Alcock Ashdown and Modest Infrastructure and wood industries in old Lati plots and small-scale industries at the old port. They also used the route to buy their daily household needs from Bhavnagar city. Ever since its collapse in August 2007, these labourers were also using private boats to cross the creek.

A new cable stayed bridge has been constructed by state government’s public works department through economic aid of Gujarat Maritime Board(GMB) at a cost of Rs 27.90 crore. It is 180 meter long and 11 meter wide with three lanes. On both sides two meter wide footpath has been provided.

Earlier the villagers of Bhal area villages like Kala talav, Narmad, Kheta,Khatli had to first come to Nirma chokdi first through vehicle, and from there were reaching Bhavnagar for employment. But with a new bridge in place, the distance of 35 km has been reduced to zero. The bridge connects old and new ports of Bhavnagar to Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Vadodara and other cities with 8 km lesser distance compare to traditional route.