Over 10L Commuters Relieved With Inauguration Of New Bridge Extension In Surat Diamond District

Surat : Over 10 lakh residents in the Surat diamond district of Varachha breathed a collective sigh of relief as the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) officially unveiled the extended portion of the 3.5-kilometer bridge connecting Mota Varachha and Puna on Wednesday. This new infrastructure enhancement aims to alleviate traffic congestion and improve connectivity in the area.

The construction of the newly extended bridge from Mota Varachha to Pune was completed in three phases, culminating in a total length of 3601 meters. The project, executed at a cost of Rs 167 crore, aimed to ease the commuting woes of the local populace.

The recently inaugurated phase, comprising the iron bow-shaped bridge structure connecting Mota Varachha to Varachha Main Road, Chikuwadi, and Sriramnagar Society, was officially unveiled by Gujarat BJP President CR Paatil. The inauguration ceremony was attended by SMC authorities, esteemed dignitaries, and local officials.

Surat, often referred to as the “bridge city” of Gujarat due to its high number of bridges, added the 120th completed bridge to its infrastructure network on this occasion.

However, the prolonged delay in the official inauguration had sparked opposition leaders in the SMC to threaten to inaugurate the extended portion independently. They expressed dissatisfaction with the slow progress of construction despite agitations and repeated appeals for prompt action. The threat of agitation loomed until the official opening of the bridge, which is anticipated to significantly mitigate traffic issues in the area.

Following the bridge’s inauguration,  MLA Kumar Kanani expressed his relief, acknowledging the prolonged and involuntary nature of the construction process. He highlighted the persistent efforts made through repeated submissions to the Municipal Commissioner to expedite the work. The completion of the bridge is expected to bring direct benefits to millions of residents in the Puna and Mota Varacha areas by enhancing their daily commute and connectivity.