Know Your City: How Atal Bridge celebrates Ahmedabad’s vibrant culture, promotes pedestrian-friendly public spaces

The curvature of this iconic span is achieved done a abstraction framework truss, which uses mild alloy pipes with diameters ranging from 700 to 1200 mm and a thickness of 16 to 32 mm. The operation progressive 2500 metric tonnes of steel. The operation rests connected some ends and successful betwixt 2 supports; its 3 spans remainder connected a bundle of 1,200 mm diameter and 8-10 piles up to 36 metres deep. Spherical bearings accommodate vibration and highest thermal enlargement of astir 200 mm.

The curvature of this iconic span is achieved done a abstraction framework truss, which uses mild alloy pipes with diameters ranging from 700 to 1200 mm and a thickness of 16 to 32 mm. (Express Photo/Nirmal Harindran)

The tubular span operation was precisely fabricated utilizing CNC cutting machines and elaborate with Tekla BIM software. The pedestrian pathway is partially shaded by a coloured Ferrari cloth tensile operation and finished with granite and woody flooring. The Ferrari cloth was imported from Germany, Japan, and Switzerland.

The bridge’s architecture, conceived done a plan competition, draws inspiration from the vibrancy of kites and the celebrations of Uttarayan, an integral festival to the city’s culture. (Express Photo/Nirmal Harindran)

Challenges successful the operation of Atal Bridge

The operation of the span faced respective challenges. Unlike different bridges connected the Sabarmati River, which person bulky heap caps, impermanent cofferdams had to beryllium created to physique the piles. Another situation was the erection of the hundred-meter spans, which rested connected specially designed foundations equipped with bearings to negociate thermal enlargement during highest summer. The cutting, bending, and welding were each performed astatine the contractor’s fabrication gait successful Punjab earlier being transported to Gujarat. High standards of finishing components were utilized to guarantee resilience successful an unfastened environment.

The pedestrian pathway is partially shaded by a coloured Ferrari cloth tensile operation and finished with granite and wood flooring. (Express Photo/Nirmal Harindran)

The level abstraction of the span has been further enhanced for nationalist use, incorporating nutrient kiosks, seating areas, and sprinklers to make a meaningful and lively destination. Throughout the construction, methodologies for fabrication, erection, and finishing were continuously updated.

Since its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi successful August 2022, the span has attracted astir 66.6 lakh visitors, some tourists and residents, making it 1 of the astir visited pedestrian bridges successful the world.

Atal Bridge has transformed however radical and the metropolis interact with municipality assets. (Express Photo/Nirmal Harindran)

Atal Bridge has transformed however radical and the metropolis interact with municipality assets. Whether the mesmerising show of birds murmuring against a sunset backdrop oregon the tranquil transportation with the stream evoking bid and serenity, the span fosters a profound narration betwixt individuals, their surroundings, and the city.

The span fosters a profound narration betwixt individuals, their surroundings, and the city. (Express Photo/Nirmal Harindran)

As a catalyst for the Sabarmati Riverfront, Atal Bridge enhances the city’s livability by providing spaces for relaxation, walking, and socialising. This acquisition is enriched by adjacent angiosperm gardens, plazas, and seasonal angiosperm shows. In the future, the span volition go an adjacent much vibrant and dynamic spot arsenic it connects Imagicaa, a planned taxable parkland connected the riverfront, to the taste centre connected the occidental side. The bridge’s popularity besides drives important economical activity, establishing it arsenic a self-sustaining model.

As a catalyst for the Sabarmati Riverfront, Atal Bridge enhances the city’s livability by providing spaces for relaxation, walking, and socialising. (Express Photo/Nirmal Harindran)

The intangible contributions of Atal Bridge to Ahmedabad are immense. It has importantly changed however citizens comprehend and utilise nationalist spaces, showcasing the imaginable for projects that bring disposable change. The occurrence of pedestrian bridges worldwide, specified arsenic Atal Bridge successful Ahmedabad, Zero Bridge successful Srinagar, and the Millennium Bridge successful London, underscores the value of prioritising the improvement of pedestrian-friendly nationalist spaces on h2o bodies. These projects make environments that seamlessly blend inferior with assemblage and earthy harmony.

-Keshav Varma is simply a retired Gujarat cadre IAS serviceman and Chairman of the High Level Committee connected Urban Planning nether the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.