The Ahmedabad Makarba Railway Overbridge has been completed at a final cost of ₹98.60 crore, up from its original sanctioned budget of ₹70.70 crore. The bridge was inaugurated on September 24, 2026, after a delay of around 18 months. Built over the LC-24 level crossing on the Ahmedabad-Botad railway line, it connects Makarba, Vejalpur and Corporate Road directly to the S.G. Highway. The 636.9-metre-long, four-lane bridge is expected to serve around 1.5 lakh motorists daily. The cost rise of ₹27.90 crore has been linked to underground utility issues, drainage problems, design changes and railway clearance delays.
Makarba Railway Overbridge Inaugurated in September 2026
The Makarba ROB was officially inaugurated on September 24, 2026. The bridge was developed over the LC-24 level crossing on the Ahmedabad-Botad railway line. It links Makarba, Vejalpur and Corporate Road with the S.G. Highway, providing a direct road connection toward the highway.
Key Specifications of the Makarba ROB
The Makarba railway overbridge is a 636.9-metre-long, four-lane railway overbridge. It has been constructed on a 40-metre-wide road corridor. The size and four-lane configuration are designed to support movement between the connected areas and the S.G. Highway.
Makarba ROB Project Details
| Project Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Project | Makarba Railway Overbridge |
| Location | LC-24 level crossing |
| Railway Line | Ahmedabad-Botad |
| Length | 636.9 metres |
| Road Corridor | 40 metres wide |
| Lanes | Four |
| Original Sanctioned Budget | ₹70.70 crore |
| Final Expenditure | ₹98.60 crore |
| Cost Increase | ₹27.90 crore |
| Inauguration | September 24, 2026 |
| Connected Areas | Makarba, Vejalpur, Corporate Road and S.G. Highway |
| Expected Daily Users | Around 1.5 lakh motorists |
Makarba Overbridge Cost Increased by ₹27.90 Crore
The original sanctioned budget for the project was ₹70.70 crore. The final expenditure reached ₹98.60 crore. This works out to an increase of ₹27.90 crore. The cost rise occurred during the construction period as the project faced underground utility, drainage, design and clearance-related complications.
Expected Benefit for Daily Commuters
The Makarba railway overbridge was designed to ease daily travel for around 1.5 lakh motorists. These users include people travelling between Sarkhej-Juhapura and the S.G. Highway. The bridge gives road traffic a four-lane route over the railway crossing, so vehicles no longer have to depend on the level crossing.
Why Was the Project Delayed?
The project was originally scheduled for completion by November 2024. The opening was delayed by around 18 months, with the bridge finally opening in September 2026. The delay and the rise in expenditure were both linked to several construction-related complications.
Underground Utility and Drainage Problems
One of the major challenges involved underground infrastructure. A major underground drainage line ruptured during construction. Teams also found significantly more underground utility lines than had initially been mapped. These extra lines created difficulties during construction and affected the project timeline.
Changes to the Bridge Design
The underground utility network also affected the engineering design. The location of existing utility lines forced engineers to modify the fundamental pillar designs during construction. These design changes added complexity to the project and contributed to the extended timeline.
Railway Clearance Delays
Another factor behind the delay involved coordination with railway authorities. Construction work over active railway tracks required coordination of work windows and permissions. These additional clearance requirements contributed to delays in completing the project.
Why Did the Project Cost Increase?
The final cost rose from ₹70.70 crore to ₹98.60 crore. The increase was tied to unexpected ground conditions and construction complications. The main issues were underground drainage complications, additional underground utility lines, changes to pillar designs, and coordination and permissions involving active railway tracks. These issues affected both the project schedule and expenditure.
Public Concerns Over the Cost Increase
The rise in project expenditure has also led to public and political concerns. During an Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation general body meeting, Congress councillor Hitendra Pithadiya criticised the civic body over the project delays and raised questions about the expenditure increase. He demanded a formal inquiry into the higher project cost and questioned the handling of project-related data. These are concerns raised by the councillor and are separate from the project specifications and construction details.
Traffic Issues After the Bridge Opened
Although the bridge was designed to ease traffic movement, its opening was followed by unexpected congestion near the Corporate Road landing. Commuters and local news outlets raised concerns about the situation. Traffic police and the AMC responded by introducing U-turn diversions and a capsule approach to organise vehicular movement.
Makarba Railway Overbridge: Important Numbers
- Original sanctioned budget: ₹70.70 crore
- Final expenditure: ₹98.60 crore
- Cost increase: ₹27.90 crore
- Length: 636.9 metres
- Number of lanes: Four
- Road corridor width: 40 metres
- Original completion target: November 2024
- Approximate delay: 18 months
- Inauguration: September 24, 2026
- Expected daily motorists: Around 1.5 lakh
Makarba ROB 2026: Key Points
- The Makarba railway overbridge has a final expenditure of ₹98.60 crore
- Its original sanctioned budget was ₹70.70 crore
- The project cost increased by ₹27.90 crore
- The bridge was inaugurated on September 24, 2026
- It is located over the LC-24 level crossing on the Ahmedabad-Botad railway line
- The bridge connects Makarba, Vejalpur and Corporate Road with the S.G. Highway
- The ROB is 636.9 metres long and has four lanes
- It is built on a 40-metre-wide road corridor
- The project was originally scheduled for completion by November 2024
- It was delayed by around 18 months
- Underground drainage and utility complications affected construction
- Engineers had to modify pillar designs because of utility-line layouts
- Railway work windows and permissions also contributed to delays
- The bridge is designed to ease travel for around 1.5 lakh motorists daily
- Traffic congestion was reported near the Corporate Road landing after opening
- U-turn diversions and a capsule approach were introduced to organise vehicle movement
What Commuters Need to Know
The Makarba railway overbridge now provides a four-lane route over the LC-24 level crossing and a direct link between Makarba, Vejalpur and Corporate Road with the S.G. Highway. Motorists who earlier depended on the level crossing can use the bridge instead. At the same time, commuters should be aware of the congestion reported near the Corporate Road landing after opening. Traffic police and the AMC have put U-turn diversions and a capsule approach in place to manage vehicle movement in the area.
Conclusion
The Ahmedabad Makarba Railway Overbridge is a major road infrastructure project connecting Makarba, Vejalpur and Corporate Road with the S.G. Highway. The 636.9-metre-long, four-lane bridge was inaugurated on September 24, 2026, after an approximately 18-month delay. Its final expenditure reached ₹98.60 crore, which is ₹27.90 crore higher than the original sanctioned budget of ₹70.70 crore. The project faced several construction challenges, including an underground drainage-line rupture, additional utility lines, changes to pillar designs and railway clearance requirements. After opening, traffic congestion near the Corporate Road landing also required traffic-management measures. The bridge is designed to support daily travel for around 1.5 lakh motorists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the final cost of the Ahmedabad Makarba Railway Overbridge?
A1. The final expenditure of the Makarba Railway Overbridge is ₹98.60 crore, which is ₹27.90 crore more than the original sanctioned budget of ₹70.70 crore.
Q2. When was the Makarba Railway Overbridge inaugurated?
A2. The bridge was inaugurated on September 24, 2026, after a delay of around 18 months from its original completion target of November 2024.
Q3. Which areas does the Makarba Railway Overbridge connect?
A3. The bridge connects Makarba, Vejalpur and Corporate Road directly to the S.G. Highway, over the LC-24 level crossing on the Ahmedabad-Botad railway line.
Q4. Why did the Makarba ROB project cost increase?
A4. The cost increased due to an underground drainage-line rupture, additional underground utility lines, changes to pillar designs and coordination and permission requirements involving active railway tracks.
Q5. What is the length and lane capacity of the Makarba Railway Overbridge?
A5. The bridge is 636.9 metres long and has four lanes, built on a 40-metre-wide road corridor. It is expected to serve around 1.5 lakh motorists daily.