Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Monday approved Rs 145 crore for the construction of a four-lane bridge over the Saraswati River in Sidhpur taluka, Patan district, on the Mehsana-Unjha-Sidhpur-Palanpur State Highway. This move is part of the state’s initiative to improve road infrastructure, with a focus on creating high-speed corridors to boost connectivity.
Bridge to Transform Regional Connectivity and Infrastructure
The new four-lane bridge will replace the existing two-lane bridge, which was originally constructed in 1959. The decision to build a larger bridge comes in response to the growing traffic demands in the region. The new bridge will be positioned to the right of the old bridge and will align with a six-lane road plan, enhancing the capacity of the road network in the region.
“This project will not only improve road connectivity but also ensure safer and faster travel, fostering growth in North Gujarat,” said an official statement. The bridge is expected to play a key role in the development of robust infrastructure, supporting future economic expansion in the area.
In a related development, the Chief Minister’s Office highlighted Gujarat’s success under the Smart Cities Mission, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The initiative aims to modernize urban areas by improving infrastructure and quality of life. Among the cities selected for transformation, Dahod has seen significant progress. A state-of-the-art Integrated Command and Control Centre was built in Dahod at a cost of Rs 121 crore, and the Chhab Lake was revitalized with an investment of Rs 120.87 crore.
Dahod, which was selected as a smart city under the third round of the mission, is notable for its predominantly forested areas and scheduled tribe population. Six cities from Gujarat, including Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Gandhinagar, and Dahod, are part of the Smart Cities Mission, marking the state’s strong commitment to sustainable urban growth.