Indian Railways Approves ₹166.5 Crore New Road Over Bridge in Alkapuri, Vadodara

Indian Railways has granted approval for the construction of a four-lane Road Over Bridge (ROB) in Alkapuri, under the Vadodara Division of Western Railway. The total estimated cost of the project is ₹166.5 crore. The project will be implemented on a cost-sharing basis between Indian Railways and the State Government, with both parties bearing equal expenses. Under this arrangement, Indian Railways will contribute approximately ₹83.2769 crore, and the State Government will contribute approximately ₹83.2769 crore.

The existing Alkapuri Road Underbridge, located near Vadodara Railway Station, serves as a critical east-west road link between the Alkapuri and Kalaghoda areas of the city. Currently, the height of this underbridge is only about 3 meters, which restricts the movement of large vehicles. Additionally, the area suffers from frequent waterlogging during the monsoon season, leading to traffic jams and causing significant inconvenience to commuters.

The proposed four-lane grade-separated road facility will increase the capacity of the existing crossing arrangement. This bridge will provide an effective crossing facility without disrupting rail operations. Its construction is expected to improve connectivity to Vadodara Railway Station, the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation bus station, and the upcoming High-Speed Rail (Bullet Train) station.

According to traffic assessments, the area experiences more than 1,600 PCUs (Passenger Car Units) per hour during peak times. Furthermore, there are several traffic conflict points and a lack of facilities for pedestrians. The existing road underbridge is unable to meet the current and future traffic requirements of the region, a challenge that this new road over bridge aims to resolve.