Surat: A newly inaugurated flyover built by the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) near the Bhestan area at a cost of ₹34.01 crore has drawn criticism from commuters, as the structure currently ends abruptly without proper connectivity across the railway line.

The 500-metre-long flyover, opened yesterday on Basant Panchami, has become a subject of public ridicule. Commuters who climb the bridge from one end are forced to take a U-turn after descending on the other side due to the absence of the connecting railway overbridge, which is still under construction. This incomplete linkage has left motorists stranded after crossing the flyover.

Railway overbridge only 56% complete

Officials had planned the flyover to connect the Bhimrad–Siddharthnagar–Dindoli road by crossing the Surat–Navsari road at the Navin Florin junction. However, the second end of the flyover is meant to merge with the ongoing Siddharthnagar railway overbridge project, which remains only 56% complete.

Notably, in a press release issued after the inauguration, the civic body stated that the flyover has been opened for limited use to facilitate traffic coming from the Bhagwatinagar Industrial Area and Udhna Main Road. The release added that once the Siddharthnagar Railway Overbridge is completed, the flyover will provide parallel connectivity from National Highway-48 to National Highway-53 and Surat Airport, resulting in significant savings in travel time and fuel while boosting industrial development in the area.

The railway overbridge project was originally sanctioned in 2019 with an estimated cost of ₹59 crore and a completion timeline of two-and-a-half years. However, it has remained unfinished even after seven years. Due to delays, the cost has now escalated to ₹74 crore, placing an additional ₹15 crore burden on the civic body.

Inauguration draws questions

The flyover was inaugurated on January 23 by Union Minister C.R. Patil in the presence of Surat Mayor Dakshesh Mavani. While the civic body has projected the bridge as part of future infrastructure expansion, locals have described the event as merely a “photo opportunity,” given that the flyover currently serves limited traffic and ends at a diversion. DeshGujarat