In a significant move to ensure public safety, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) initiated a comprehensive inspection and repair program for the city's aging bridges in August 2025. The civic body's focus was on structures that were constructed 15 years ago or earlier, a decision impacting a large number of the city's vital connectors.
Phase One: Visual Inspections and Targeted Testing
The first phase of this ambitious project involved visual inspections of various flyovers and bridges across Ahmedabad. An AMC source revealed that the initial scrutiny was reserved for all bridges built 15 years ago or before. The scale of the task is underscored by the fact that Ahmedabad has a total of 92 flyovers, bridges, and underpasses within its limits.
Beyond visual checks, the corporation had initially planned to conduct rigorous load testing on three major river bridges: the Nehru Bridge and the Gandhi Bridge. However, in a later development, this specific load testing for the three river bridges was reportedly cancelled due to their advanced age, as confirmed by the source.
Building on Previous Assessments and Ongoing Work
This 2025 drive was not the AMC's first proactive step. The groundwork was laid earlier in 2024 when a preliminary report for 69 of these 92 structures was prepared. Based on those findings, initial maintenance work had already begun. Following March 2025, the inspections became more detailed, with destructive and non-destructive testing completed for 16 bridges and two foot overbridges. Necessary repair actions were subsequently initiated based on these technical reports.
The AMC source stated that most of the inspections ordered in August 2025 have now been completed, and corresponding maintenance work has commenced. Repair work on the iconic Sardar Bridge and the Nehru Bridge is currently underway.
Historic Gandhi Bridge Receives Critical Upgrade
One of the most notable interventions has been on the historic Gandhi Bridge, which was originally built in 1942. In a crucial upgrade to this decades-old structure, the AMC has already successfully replaced the bearings of the Gandhi Bridge. This work highlights the corporation's focus on both modern structures and historic infrastructure that forms the city's backbone.
Interestingly, while three major river bridges were slated for intense scrutiny, the Subhash Bridge was excluded from the initial repair list announced in August 2025. The comprehensive effort reflects the AMC's ongoing commitment to urban safety and the maintenance of critical public infrastructure for Ahmedabad's citizens.
