Traffic diversions near Shahibaug for bullet train work cause chock-a-block roads

The sudden closure of Acharyashree Mahapragyaji Overbridge between Namaste Circle and Rajasthan Hospital has caused immense hardship to residents of Shahibaug who have been caught in traffic jams.

In the wake of construction of the bullet train corridor between Sabarmati and Vatva in Ahmedabad, a segment installation work is being carried out near the Acharyashree Mahapragyaji Railway Overbridge in Shahibaug. This work that began on July 31 will continue 24×7 till September 1, 2025.

Meanwhile, the Ahmedabad Police on Thursday announced alternate routes for commuters of Shahibaug:

For 2,3, and 4 wheelers

• From Rajasthan Hospital to Namaste Circle:

Vehicles can use the road beneath the overbridge, passing by Shanidev Mandir, through the Shahibaug underpass, and past the old Police Commissioner’s office to reach Namaste Circle.

• From Namaste Circle to Rajasthan Hospital:

Vehicles should take the route via the old police commissioner’s office and the Shahibaug underpass, continue past Nagpal Hospital, and then take a U-turn at Sardar Patel Smarak to reach Rajasthan Hospital using the service road alongside the overbridge.

For heavy vehicles:

Heavy vehicles travelling from Rajasthan Hospital towards Namaste Circle must go beneath the overbridge using the service road, take a left at the four-road junction, head toward Mahakali Mandir Circle, turn right onto Babu Jagjivan Ram Railway Overbridge, and then proceed via Idgah Circle, Dariyapur Circle, and Delhi Darwaza.

However, the diversions caused a traffic jam on Thursday morning. Many commuters heading to work were delayed. Even during the peak evening hours, it took two to four times longer than usual to return home. 

Normally, it takes 5 to 7 minutes to travel from Shahibaug overbridge to Delhi Darwaza, however, commuters had to spend more than 45 minutes covering the same distance due to heavy traffic near the underbridge. 

Passengers travelling from Gandhinagar via buses or private vehicles to other areas of Ahmedabad via Delhi Darwaza also suffered due to traffic congestion. People commuting from Memco and Meghaninagar to various parts of the city faced similar hardships and reached work nearly an hour late. They faced the same ordeal in the evening during the return journey.

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