Makarba and Vadaj Overbridges Now Open for Traffic; ₹226 Crore Projects To Benefit 3 Lakh Commuters

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday inaugurated the Makarba Railway Overbridge and the Vadaj Overbridge in Ahmedabad, with the two projects expected to ease traffic movement for around 3 lakh commuters.

The Makarba Railway Overbridge, constructed at a cost of ₹98.60 crore, is expected to benefit around 1.5 lakh commuters. The ₹127.92-crore Vadaj Flyover is expected to provide relief to another 1.5 lakh commuters.

Both projects, however, missed their original completion deadlines, extending traffic disruptions in the surrounding areas.

Makarba Railway Overbridge Delayed By 1.5 Years

Construction of the Makarba Railway Overbridge began on September 30, 2023, with completion originally scheduled for March 2025.

The project faced delays after a drainage line ruptured during construction. Officials also discovered more underground utility lines than those shown on the maps provided to the bridge department, requiring changes to the pillar design.

Delays associated with railway-related work further affected the construction schedule. The overbridge was eventually completed around one and a half years after its original deadline.

With the bridge now open, commuters travelling through Makarba and adjoining areas are expected to experience smoother traffic movement and fewer bottlenecks.

Vadaj Flyover Missed Deadline By Six Months

Work on the Vadaj Flyover began in June 2023 and was scheduled for completion in April 2026.

The project was completed around six months behind schedule, with a civic official attributing part of the delay to contractor-related issues. Construction also had to be carried out while heavy traffic continued to use the route.

The ₹127.92-crore flyover is expected to benefit around 1.5 lakh commuters following its opening.

Officials Told To Keep Close Watch On Construction Quality

Addressing officials at the inauguration, Patel stressed the need for continuous monitoring of development works and instructed them to ensure that contractors maintain the required standards.

He said merely starting a project was not enough and that officials must closely supervise its execution, verify the quality of work and ensure there was no negligence or compromise in construction.

Referring specifically to the Vadaj Overbridge, the Chief Minister said the project would provide significant benefits to citizens and emphasised the need to complete development works on time while maintaining quality.