The Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has successfully completed the first phase of the demolition of the historic Subhash Bridge, safely lowering three spans into the Sabarmati riverbed through a controlled engineering operation.

Controlled Demolition Completed Without Incident

Under the supervision of structural engineering experts, the three bridge spans were carefully dismantled and lowered into the riverbed using a precisely planned demolition process. The operation was carried out in accordance with stringent safety protocols and concluded without any untoward incidents.

To ensure public safety, AMC sealed off the surrounding area with heavy barricading and prohibited unauthorised access throughout the demolition. Debris removal began immediately after the spans were brought down to clear the site for the next phase of reconstruction.

Bridge Closed After Structural Damage

Built in 1973, the 53-year-old Subhash Bridge served as a key arterial link connecting western Ahmedabad with Shahibaug and the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The bridge was abruptly closed overnight on December 4, 2025, after engineers detected serious structural cracks and significant sagging near Pillar No 9.

Reconstruction Replaced Repair Plan

The AMC had initially proposed a ₹236-crore rehabilitation project to repair the bridge. However, detailed structural assessments by experts from IIT Roorkee, IIT Gandhinagar, and national bridge specialists found extensive concrete deterioration, spalling, and a significant loss of load-bearing capacity in the bridge's piers.

Based on the expert findings, authorities concluded that repairing the structure would not ensure its long-term safety or service life and decided to demolish the existing bridge and construct a new one in its place.

Earlier this week, structural cracks detected in pillars.