Gandhinagar: A newly constructed bridge over the Sabarmati River connecting Aluva village in Mansa taluka with Gandhinagar taluka has been opened to informal use by local residents, even as it awaits official inauguration. With the monsoon approaching in the next few months, villagers have demanded that authorities make the bridge operational without further delay.

The Sadra–Aluva bridge project, which has been under construction for nearly five years, is now complete. However, the administration has yet to announce an inauguration date, leading to growing frustration among residents. Thousands of people from Mansa and Gandhinagar talukas are expected to benefit from the connectivity once the bridge is formally opened.

Tired of the prolonged wait, several motorists have begun using the bridge over the past few days despite the lack of official clearance. Commuters say the delay is causing inconvenience, especially as alternative routes remain difficult to navigate.

While the bridge structure and the connecting road to Aluva village are ready, safety concerns persist. Around 10 electricity poles still stand in the middle of the approach road, posing a serious risk to motorists. Residents have warned that the inaction could lead to accidents, but authorities have yet to take steps to relocate the poles.

At present, commuters are forced to use a temporary dirt track beneath the bridge, navigating through sand deposits in the riverbed with difficulty.

It is learnt that the bridge construction was completed ahead of the recent local body elections, but its inauguration was deferred due to the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct. Despite the code now being lifted, no official date has been announced, prompting villagers to begin using the bridge on their own. DeshGujarat