The government of India has approved Rs.400 crore four lane bridge on river Narmada connecting southern Gujarat towns Bharuch and Ankleshwar on Ahmedabad-Mumbai main highway, thanks to efforts by Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi’s political adviser Ahmed Patel who is ex-MP of Bharuch.

The proposed 1.37 km long bridge will have 4.628 kms total length with its approach roads. The bridge will be constructed under N.H.D.P phase-5.

It should be mentioned here that the existing Golden bridge is decades old and not able to accommodate extra heavy traffic on one of the most busy highway of the nation that connects Ahmedabad-Vadodara to Surat-Mumbai.

About existing Golden Bridge

The Golden Bridge that connects Ankleshwar to Bharuch was built in 1881 by the British, who needed a bridge across the Narmada River to create better access to trade and administration officials in Bombay.

The Golden Bridge has seen many floods and natural disasters like earthquakes, but it has stood for nearly 125 years, providing daily transportation to the people of Ankleshwar and Bharuch.

A railway track was operational adjacent to the bridge but with the construction of a new bridge in the 1970s, the tracks were placed on the new bridge.

According to legend, it is known as the “Golden” bridge because the iron used in its construction is very sturdy, resistant to rust and rare, hence it should be much more expensive than modern steel.