In Ahmedabad, a ban has been placed on heavy vehicles using the Vishala Bridge. The city police commissioner announced this decision through a public notice. The ban is due to the poor condition of the left side bearings and other parts of the bridge. As a result, even ST buses cannot pass over this section of the bridge.
Residents may face difficulties because of this restriction. The National Highway Authority in Ahmedabad has stated that starting Friday, medium and heavy passenger and commercial vehicles will be prohibited from the left side of Shastri Bridge. The bridge from Vishala Circle to Pirana will remain closed until February 8, 2026.
Earlier this year, repairs and renovations were done on the Vishala Bridge. However, the bearings and pedestal are still in a dilapidated condition. The police department has issued a public notice and announced alternative routes for drivers.
The 43-year-old bridge connects Vishala to Narol and links Expressway and National Highway 8. In place of this bridge, a new bridge and an elevated corridor from Narol to Sarkhej will be constructed. Tender for this proposed corridor, which will be an 8-lane project, has already been issued. The estimated cost for this is around 1,295 crores.
To ease the ongoing traffic issues in Ahmedabad, several overbridges are being planned. An overbridge will be constructed from Vishala Circle to Sarkhej Chowkdi. This bridge will improve connectivity between South Gujarat and Saurashtra. The completion of this project is expected by 2027, with an approved budget of 1,295.39 crores, as mentioned by state minister Jagdish Vishwakarma in the assembly.
The construction of this overbridge will help reduce the traffic issues faced on the highways in the area. Local traffic often uses the national highway due to congestion on the highways, which the new bridge aims to alleviate. The elevated corridor will feature six lanes and five access roads on both sides, offering a total of 16 lanes of service in Gujarat for the first time.
As the construction activities move forward, residents are advised to plan their routes carefully. The police and local authorities are working to ensure that traffic flow remains manageable during this period of transition. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops, and residents are encouraged to stay informed about the latest traffic advisories.