Surat to have ten flyovers soon

Surat is fast becoming a city of flyovers. The city has four fully operational flyovers, while six others are in different stages of construction and planning.

"Surat has witnessed tremendous development in the recent years. Its population has increased many times (to over 30 lakh), and so has the area. The number of vehicles in the city has shot up to over 9 lakh, leading to grave traffic woes. The only way to ensure smooth movement of vehicles is building flyovers," Surat mayor Snehlata Chauhan, said.

Surat has four fully operational flyovers "" the first of which was built in 1997 at Athwa Gate at the cost of Rs 8 crore. A flyover was built at Sumul Dairy Road for Rs 3 crore and one in the busy textile market area on Ring Road for Rs 18 crore. Less than an year ago, a 2.75 km long flyover was built at Varachha Road "" the longest four-lane flyover in the country "" for Rs 29.50 crore.

The SMC plans to built six more flyovers in the city at a cost of over Rs 110 crore.

At present, over 50 per cent construction work of the flyover at Dindoli railway crossing has been completed. Work on a multi-level flyover bridge connecting Udhna Darwaza to Majura Gate on Ring Road has also started recently. This flyover bridge would be approximately 2.50 km long, and would involve an expenditure of Rs. 25.30 crore.

SMC has planned four more flyovers. One of these would be built at Delhi Gate, near Surat Railway Station for Rs 25 crore. SMC also plans to build a Rs 10-crore flyover from Kamela Darwaza to Aanjna tenement. It also plans a Rs 22 crore flyover from the Suryapur Gate crossing to Lal Darwaza and a Rs 20 crore flyover from Chowk Bazaar to Bhagal.

"SMC has spent a lot of money for providing better services and facilities to the people of Surat. Building flyovers is just one of these many works," SMC standing committee chairman Pravin Naik said.

"We realised the multiple benefits of building flyover bridges, and started developing these. The flyover bridges have contributed a great deal in easing traffic problems. Vehicular movement has become smooth, saving a lot of time, and has also resulted in lesser noise and air pollution. Surat will be home to at-least 10 or 12 flyover bridges in the next couple of years," he added.