Subhash Bridge closure triggers major traffic reshuffle, Ahmedabad Police redeploy 150 personnel to manage diversions

The closure of Subhash Bridge in Ahmedabad for urgent structural maintenance has prompted one of the biggest traffic management exercises in recent months, with the Ahmedabad Traffic Police redeploying 150 personnel back to the department and stationing three-shift teams across 17 congestion-prone points in the city.

The bridge, which connects the northern neighbourhoods of Chandkheda, Sabarmati, Shahibaug and Vadaj, was shut to vehicular and pedestrian movement from Thursday morning following an order from the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). Anticipating severe disruptions during peak hours, the Traffic Department rolled out an extensive diversion plan and issued a city-wide deployment directive.

150 personnel were brought back to the Traffic Department

In a significant administrative reversal, the City Police Commissioner, G S Malik and Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), N N Chaudhary, have instructed 150 traffic personnel, who were earlier transferred to various units of the city police, to immediately rejoin the Traffic Branch. Officials said the sudden manpower requirement arose due to the strategic importance of the Subhash Bridge corridor and the ripple effect its closure is expected to create across arterial routes.

Senior officers noted that the recalled personnel would be essential for manning critical junctions, smoothing peak-hour flow, and preventing gridlocks in pressure zones such as Shahibaug, Sabarmati, Vadaj, Civil Hospital roads and the Ranip–Vadaj corridor.

Major city-wide deployment at 17 points

According to the directive, traffic inspectors of L, B and F divisions have been ordered to mobilise all available staff, with missing personnel to be supplemented by the central office by Friday.

Three-shift deployment has been mandated at 17 heavily used junctions, including:

 Power House Crossroads

 Chimanbhai Patel Bridge

 Prabodh Raval Circle

 Ranip D-Mart

 Vadaj Crematorium Cut

 Dadhichi Bridge approach

 Meldi Mata Circle

 Kendriya Vidyalaya Cut

 Shahibaug Underbridge

 Shahibaug (Nagpal Hospital)

 Inscription Crossroads

 Shanidev Mandir Crossroads

 Rajasthan Hospital Cut

Officials said the teams will monitor diversions, manage bottlenecks and guide commuters unfamiliar with alternative routes.

Diversion plan for commuters

With Subhash Bridge sealed at both ends, the police have outlined detailed alternative routes:

From Chandkheda and Sabarmati: Commuters may use Chimanbhai Patel Bridge, Prabodh Raval Circle, Ranip D-Mart and the Wadaj approach road to reach Wadaj Circle, Dadhichi Bridge, Delhi Darwaza, Shahibaug and Civil Hospital.

Towards Civil Hospital: Motorists from northern localities may opt for the Bhat–Koteshwar Road, Indira Bridge and Airport Road as an alternative corridor.

From Shahibaug: Those attempting to access Subhash Bridge must instead travel via Shahibaug Underbridge Circle or the Railway Bridge, and proceed through Namaste Circle, Kendriya Vidyalaya Cut, Devjipura, Meldi Mata Circle, Dadhichi Bridge and Wadaj Circle.

Police officials said public advisories have been circulated widely to discourage last-minute detours. Commuters have been urged to allocate additional travel time over the next few days.

Coordination across ranks

The directive has been circulated to Deputy Commissioners of Police (Traffic) for East and West divisions, Assistant Commissioners of Police (Traffic Administration), inspectors of Traffic A, B and L divisions, and the control room to ensure synchronised enforcement across units.

Officials emphasised that the bridge will remain closed until AMC completes its repair work, with further updates to be issued subsequently.

The police have appealed to citizens to follow diversion signage, avoid non-essential travel in the affected zones and cooperate with on-ground personnel during the maintenance period.