Bharuch/Ahmedabad - A vital bridge spanning the Narmada River, connecting Vadodara district with Bharuch and Narmada districts, has been completed at a cost of Rs 225 crore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the bridge on September 27 at a ceremony in Chhota Udepur, attended by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. The new infrastructure is expected to shorten the travel distance from Vadodara to Netrang and Dediapara in Maharashtra by 20 kilometers, as well as offer relief to drivers from difficult mountainous terrains.
This newly constructed bridge marks the 56th such structure across the 1,352-km-long Narmada River, which originates in Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh, and empties into the Gulf of Khambhat. The project was overseen by the Vadodara Roads and Housing Department (Rural), and is the latest addition to a series of 55 existing bridges facilitating vehicular movement across the river. Madhya Pradesh boasts the highest number of such bridges.
Speaking about the construction, Executive Engineer Kamlesh Thorat revealed that the bridge is a PSC (Prestressed Concrete) girder deck bridge. It comprises 16 pillars and has utilized 12,000 tonnes of various types of iron and about 20,000 tonnes of cement. "With the quantity of materials used in this project, one could construct a 7 to 15-floor apartment with all amenities," Thorat said. The bridge has a total length of 3.5 kilometers and a width of 16 meters, with 900 meters traversing the river. The remaining segments measure 600 meters towards Asha and 2 kilometers towards Malsar.
The new bridge promises to significantly ease travel from Shinor tehsil to Nandod in Narmada district and Jhagadia in Bharuch district by reducing the journey by 20 kilometers. This is particularly advantageous for heavy vehicles, which will no longer need to navigate the challenging climbs of the Rajpipla and Dediapada valleys. The result will be substantial savings in both time and fuel for travelers and transporters alike.
With this development, the government aims to improve regional connectivity, thereby boosting economic activity and making travel more convenient for the residents of Gujarat and neighboring states.
