Makarba Bridge Cost Jumps By ₹28 Crore; Congress Demands Probe Into Delay, Cost Overrun

The cost of Ahmedabad's Makarba railway overbridge has risen from the sanctioned ₹70.70 crore to ₹98.60 crore, while the project, originally scheduled for completion by November 2024, was completed only in September 2026. The issue came up during the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's general body meeting, where Congress councillor Hitendra Pithadiya demanded an inquiry and accountability for the delay and additional expenditure.

The bridge, constructed over the LC-24 crossing on the Ahmedabad-Botad railway line, was inaugurated on September 24. According to the issues raised in the meeting, the project faced delays after a drainage line ruptured and more utility lines than anticipated were discovered at the site. The changes required modifications to the pillar designs, contributing to the delay and increase in project cost.

Congress Seeks Accountability For ₹28 Crore Increase

Pithadiya questioned why the project cost had increased by around ₹28 crore and demanded an inquiry into the circumstances behind the escalation.

He also sought accountability from the officials or other parties responsible for the delay and cost increase, and called for appropriate action if lapses were established.

The bridge is intended to improve connectivity between Makarba, Vejalpur, Corporate Road and S.G. Highway.

Traffic Congestion Continues After Bridge Opens

Congress councillors also raised concerns about traffic management around the newly inaugurated bridge.

Traffic congestion has reportedly emerged at the Corporate Road end of the bridge. The traffic police subsequently inspected the location and introduced measures including signal adjustments and 'capsule-type' junctions.

However, councillors said the changes have forced motorists to take longer routes, resulting in additional travel and fuel consumption.

Congress Councillors Allege Officials Withhold Information

The general body meeting also saw Congress councillors accuse officials of various AMC departments of failing to provide information sought by elected representatives.

The allegations particularly concerned the Central Zone's Estate, Health-Food and Engineering departments. Councillors claimed that written representations submitted to officials often receive no response, while some complaints are marked as closed without the underlying issues being resolved.

2,578 Vigilance Applications Filed Since 2021

The AMC Vigilance Department's functioning also came under scrutiny during the meeting.

According to figures cited by a Congress councillor, 2,578 applications and complaints were filed between 2021 and 2026. Of these, 1,907 were closed for lack of evidence, while action was taken against 298 employees.

Congress councillors questioned the corporation's grievance redressal and investigation mechanisms in light of the figures.

Maktampura, Gyaspur-Shahwadi STPs Face Odour Complaints

Pithadiya also raised concerns about sewage treatment plants in the Maktampura and Gyaspur-Shahwadi areas.

He alleged that foul odour and gas emissions from the STPs were causing difficulties for residents, particularly during the evening. According to the councillor, residents have submitted representations several times, but the problem remains unresolved.

Shahpur Metro Work Linked To Waterlogging, Low Water Pressure

Dariyapur ward councillor Monaben Prajapati raised concerns over drainage and water supply problems following work related to the Shahpur Metro Station.

She said drainage and water supply connections from the main road had been diverted to internal lines because of the metro station construction. As a result, areas that previously did not experience waterlogging are now facing rainwater accumulation.

She also alleged that water pressure has fallen in several areas, with some locations receiving no water supply.

Prajapati further said repeated representations were made between 2015 and 2020 regarding the renovation of School No. 15, located opposite the metro station. Instead of being renovated, she said, the school was merged with another school.

According to her, the merger was followed by a fall in enrolment, with the number of students declining from around 500 to 350.

Narol-Sarkhej Bridge Construction Raises Waterlogging Concerns

Maktampura ward councillor Haji Asrar Beg raised concerns over waterlogging linked to the construction of the Narol-Sarkhej bridge.

Beg said he had previously urged the National Highways Authority of India and the AMC to coordinate and shift catch-pits along the main road to the side to prevent waterlogging during the monsoon.

He alleged that the representations were ignored and that the catch-pits have subsequently been buried beneath the bridge structure.

He further claimed that the road level on the Vishala-Sarkhej stretch had been raised, resulting in rainwater accumulating in nearby housing societies.

Traffic congestion caused by the Narol-Sarkhej bridge construction was also raised during the meeting.

155303 Helpline Draws Criticism

Beg also criticised the functioning of the AMC's 155303 civic helpline.

He said the helpline was launched with the assurance that complaints would be resolved on site. However, he alleged that complaints are now sometimes marked as resolved through WhatsApp without the issue actually being addressed.

According to Beg, physical verification of some complaints subsequently shows that the reported problem remains unresolved.

He criticised the administration of the Smart City project over what he described as a failure to address civic issues on the ground.