Why flyovers in Ahmedabad cost more than planned

Time of India

6 days ago

Ahmedabad: The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) have struggled with delays and cost escalations in their infrastructure projects over the past decade.
Construction of flyovers, railway overbridges, and underpasses has been marred by design changes that have increased project costs and timelines. An analysis of 10 major infrastructure projects reveals a pattern of poor planning, lack of coordination between agencies and mid-project design changes that have collectively added crores to the public exchequer while leaving citizens waiting for completion.
1. I-T flyover: Three disputes drive up costs
Despite the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) recommending a four-lane, 16.50-metre-wide flyover on priority, AMC constructed a five-lane bridge spanning 20.50 metres.
The project cost ballooned from the estimated Rs 59.59 crore to Rs 65.51 crore. An additional Rs 10 crore was spent on special steel structure to preserve Gandhi's statue beneath the bridge, highlighting the lack of comprehensive site surveys during the planning phase.
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2. Ranip flyover: Land dispute, two-yr-setback
What began as a 24-month project in 2013 stretched to five years due to regulatory hurdles. The Ranip GST crossing flyover construction was delayed by a year initially due to lack of approval from the railways.
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The project required 5,000 sq m of railway land, which the railways withheld for two years. Eventually, AMC had to arrange a land exchange deal costing Rs 50 crore to proceed with construction.
3. Ajit Mill junction: Oversight delays project
The Ajit Mill junction flyover, initially estimated at Rs 41 crore, was tendered for Rs 50.30 crore. Despite its inauguration in Dec 2021, the project faced over a year's delay when construction workers discovered a major water trunk line beneath the site.
This necessitated design changes and halted work.4.
4. Pallav flyover: High-tension line added Rs 18cr
Approved for Rs 64 crore in 2017, the project was eventually tendered for Rs 104.16 crore. Moving high-tension power lines underground added approximately Rs 18 crore to the budget. The CSIR report did not recommend a flyover at Naroda Pallav junction, yet AMC proceeded with construction. The project was inaugurated in May 2025, two years behind schedule.
5. Dehgam Circle flyover: Two-year delay
Poor coordination between Auda and Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited (GETCO) led to a two-year delay in the SP Ring Road's Dehgam Circle flyover. Work was halted midway to shift high-tension power lines underground. Despite Auda depositing funds with GETCO, underground work did not start for two years, pushing the completion date well beyond the original Jan 1, 2021 deadline.
6. Ghuma-Shej flyover: Rs 80cr project unused
Six years ago, Auda began work on a railway overbridge connecting Ghuma and Shej, costing Rs 80 crore. Although completed six months ago, one end of the bridge remains closed due to private land and compound walls, preventing its use for traffic.
7. Panjrapol flyover: Direction changed
The Panjrapol flyover project faced directional changes that sparked public debate.
Initially, CRRI-CSIR recommended a split flyover with two lanes each at Navrangpura Panjrapol junction. However, an IITRAM report led to a decision to construct the flyover from the govt polytechnic college towards IIM-A, requiring a new tender before work began.
8. Hatkeshwar flyover: Poor quality, to be razed
The standing committee approved the demolition of the poor-quality Hatkeshwar flyover bridge in the Khokhra area, built for Rs 34 crore, which deteriorated within five years.
It will be demolished at a cost of Rs 3.90 crore. This is the first time in AMC's history that a flyover is being demolished due to poor construction quality within five years of completion.
9. Jalaram underpass: Open-shut case
The underpass in Paldi was inaugurated by the CM on March 4, 2024, only to be closed to the public within hours. The inauguration proceeded despite incomplete work, including pending tower removal.
The project cost escalated from Rs 45 crore to Rs 83 crore due to utility relocation and other works.
10. Sattadhar flyover: Defect liability dispute
The under-construction Sattadhar junction flyover, approved at Rs 81.49 crore in April 2023, has been embroiled in defect liability disputes. Initially set at three years, the defect liability period was extended to five years following the Hatkeshwar bridge controversy. But when the contractor demanded more money or tender cancellation, the standing committee reverted to the three-year liability period within a month.