Rajkot: In a major boost to the city’s infrastructure, the much-awaited four-lane railway overbridge on Jamnagar Road, popularly known as Sandhiya Pul, has been completed and is ready for inauguration. The ₹74.32-crore project is expected to provide significant relief to nearly one lakh commuters daily, saving both time and fuel for those travelling towards Jamnagar, Dwarka, Morbi, and Kutch.

The new project replaces a 48-year-old two-lane bridge that had become dangerously dilapidated. The 602-metre-long and 16.4-metre-wide flyover has a total of 21 spans, including a 36-metre central span. Two RCC box culverts have also been integrated into the structure for stormwater management.

Major Reduction in Travel Time and Distance

For the past two years, the closure of the old bridge had forced heavy vehicles and GSRTC buses to take diversions through the city’s interior roads, including Kalavad Road and Raiya Road. However, with the opening of the new overbridge, the distance between Rajkot Bus Port and Madhapar Chowki will be reduced by half, from 10 km to 5 km. Travel time on this route is also expected to drop from 30 minutes to just 15 minutes.

Additionally, the bridge will provide quicker access to Gujarat’s first AIIMS hospital, improving emergency medical connectivity.

The foundation stone for the bridge was virtually laid by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on March 7, 2024, after which the old structure was dismantled in May 2024. Although construction has been completed, the official inauguration ceremony is expected shortly after the appointment of new Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) officials, including the Mayor and the Standing Committee Chairman.

Once operational, the overbridge is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion at Hospital Chowk, Raiya Road, and the 150-Foot Ring Road as heavy traffic returns to the main Jamnagar Road corridor. DeshGujarat