Gandhinagar: To address rising traffic congestion on the busy Ahmedabad–Gandhinagar corridor, authorities have proposed widening the Narmada Canal bridge on the highway to 12 lanes.

The plan includes constructing two additional parallel bridges, each with two to three lanes, on either side of the existing six-lane structure, significantly enhancing traffic capacity and easing vehicular movement from the state capital towards Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport in Ahmedabad.

The move comes in view of increasing traffic pressure on the stretch, which currently handles around 1.5 lakh vehicles daily. The road also witnesses frequent VIP movement due to its connectivity to the airport, further necessitating infrastructure upgrades.

As per officials, the under-construction six-lane cable-stayed bridge at Bhat Circle will directly connect to the Narmada bridge. With service roads on both sides, the overall traffic capacity in the area is expected to effectively function as a 12-lane corridor, prompting plans to expand the canal bridge to a total of 12 lanes for smoother vehicular movement.

The Road Construction Department has estimated the project cost at Rs 37.33 crore. Under the proposal, two parallel bridges, each approximately 1,000 metres long and 15 metres wide, will be built alongside the current bridge.

Authorities clarified that while the new cable-stayed bridge will connect seamlessly with the Narmada bridge, the proposed parallel bridges will operate independently, with traffic segregated based on direction to ensure smoother flow.

To facilitate construction within the canal, a specialised pontoon method will be used. This technique involves floating, boat-like platforms to enable heavy-duty piling and provide strong foundational support for the structures. DeshGujarat