17 bridges, 4 ROBs worth Rs 480 crore planned to ease Simhastha rush, improve Ujjain traffic

Times News NetworkIndore: To tackle massive influx of pilgrims expected during Simhastha 2028 and ease some of Ujjain’s chronic traffic bottlenecks, the state govt has approved a total of 21 bridges and rail overbridges (ROBs) worth Rs 482.35 crore, with work already underway on 18 of them.The package includes 17 bridges across the Kshipra river and 4 ROBs expected to improve access to ghats and provide alternate routes for lakhs of devotees visiting the city during the month-long congregation. Officials said that the infrastructure would also benefit residents by easing traffic congestion and improving connectivity across Ujjain.“The objective is to ensure seamless connectivity for lakhs of devotees during Simhastha while creating durable transport infrastructure that will continue to benefit residents long after the event is over,” Ujjain collector Roshan Singh said.One key project is a parallel ROB to the existing Freeganj bridge, a long-pending demand aimed at reducing pressure on one of the city’s busiest east-west corridors. Several new bridges are also planned to connect riverfront areas and pilgrimage routes that witness heavy traffic during religious events.In a first for the state, three of the bridges will use voided slab technology, a lightweight construction system that reduces amount of concrete required while maintaining structural strength. Officials said that the design can cut the bridge’s self-weight by up to 35%, allowing longer spans and reducing foundation costs.Of the 21 sanctioned projects, three are at tender stage while work on the remaining 18 has already begun. Six projects are scheduled for completion by Dec 2026, another six by March 2027, four by July 2027 and the remaining by the end of that year.