Vadodara: The Akota–Dandia Bazar bridge in the city will be closed for a period of two weeks starting Friday morning and will remain shut until April 8 to facilitate construction work for the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train corridor being executed by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL).

The 380-metre-long, four-lane bridge, commonly known as the Solar Panel Bridge, is an important link across the Vishwamitri River and the railway line. It connects the city’s West Zone with the old city areas of Dandia Bazar and Raopura, besides providing access to the South Zone.

Vadodara City Police issued a notification on Wednesday announcing the closure and informing motorists about alternative routes. As per the advisory, the road from Maharani Nursing Home Junction to the Akota Solar Bridge and the stretch from Akota Bridge Junction to Maharani Nursing Home Junction will remain closed from March 27 to April 8.

Commuters have been advised to use alternate routes via Jetalpur Bridge, Jail Road, the Jetalpur underpass, and Mujhmahuda Circle to reach Alkapuri and nearby areas. The bridge usually handles heavy traffic, with nearly 5,000 vehicles passing during peak hours, and its wide carriageway has also been associated with incidents of overspeeding and accidents in the past. DeshGujarat