Ahmedabad, March 6 (NationPress) The Standing Committee of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has approved a substantial investment of Rs 2,500 crore for various development projects throughout the city. This includes a significant allocation of Rs 240 crore earmarked for the renovation of the Subhash Bridge, which was closed last year due to identified structural issues.

Chairman of the Standing Committee, Devang Dani, stated on Thursday that these decisions encompass improvements in roads, drainage, water supply, and overall civic infrastructure across several wards in Ahmedabad.

Dani elaborated that projects totaling approximately Rs 600 crore are specifically related to road enhancements, notably the approval of an iconic roadway connecting Naroda to Narol.

"Today's Standing Committee meeting has approved development initiatives worth Rs 2,500 crore for our city. This includes Rs 600 crore for road projects along with various drainage and water-related improvements," he noted.

The intention behind these infrastructure initiatives is to facilitate the long-term growth of Ahmedabad.

"Ahmedabad is advancing at an accelerated pace on the global stage. With the upcoming 2030 Commonwealth Games, we have prioritized infrastructure projects to ensure swift progress," Dani remarked.

Regarding road development and the bridge renovation, he confirmed the approval for the Naroda–Narol iconic road and the renovation of the Subhash Bridge.

"Due to damage, the Subhash Bridge was closed. Following the completion of necessary technical assessments, the Standing Committee has sanctioned Rs 240 crore for its renovation," he added.

Additionally, approximately Rs 250 crore has been authorized for the improvement of various facilities and locations, including associations with Gujarat University, L.D. College of Engineering, and historical sites and temples.

Dani also unveiled plans for a new public garden located in the western outskirts of the city.

"Just as Ahmedabad boasts Kankaria and Vastrapur Lake, we will establish a Lotus Garden in South Bopal. This garden will showcase replicas of flowers from every Indian state, ultimately enhancing the happiness index of our citizens," he elaborated.

The committee has also approved the enhancement of the civic body’s complaint management system.

Dani pointed out that the CCRS App, currently utilized by residents to lodge complaints through number 155303, will undergo an upgrade incorporating artificial intelligence.

"AMC will be the first municipal corporation in India to implement an AI-based app. Instead of merely closing complaints, we will now upload before-and-after photographs to provide transparency," he stated.

Furthermore, the committee sanctioned the development of 25 additional junctions throughout the city.

Dani mentioned that the civic body had previously approved the development of 100 junctions, and this new decision will expand the initiative to even more locations.

Included in the Rs 2,500-crore package are works on community halls, urban health centers, bridges, and footpaths in various wards.

Providing technical insights into the bridge project, South-West Zone Deputy Municipal Commissioner Mirant Parikh emphasized that the bridge serves as a major traffic route for the city.

"The Subhash Bridge is akin to a lifeline for Ahmedabad, as it facilitates significant traffic movement," he stated.

Parikh explained that the bridge was closed previously to mitigate any public safety risks following the detection of defects.

"Upon identifying minor and major defects in the Subhash Bridge, it was promptly closed to prevent any potential loss of life or issues," he added.

The renovation will involve replacing the bridge's superstructure and reinforcing its structure.

"The renovation will be conducted in two phases, where the existing superstructure will be demolished and a new one constructed and reinforced," he said, noting that two additional lanes will also be built around the bridge as part of this project.

The current bridge measures approximately 454 meters in length and 18 meters in width, with spans of 76.25 meters and 36.50 meters.

The first phase of the renovation is anticipated to take nine months, while the subsequent phase will involve constructing two new bridges with two lanes each, flanking the existing structure.

Each of these new bridges will also be about 454 meters long, with a width of 10.55 meters, including an eight-meter carriageway, crash barriers, footpaths, and parapets.

The additional bridge construction is expected to require around 24 months for completion.

The project will encompass the installation of prestressed concrete girders, the replacement of bridge bearings with POT-PTFE or elastomeric bearings, waterproofing of the deck slab, a bituminous wearing coat, expansion joints, and architectural lighting on the bridge structure.

A tender for the work has been issued for Rs 232 crore in accordance with government protocols and approved technical specifications.