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

The curvature of this iconic bridge is achieved through a space frame truss, which uses mild steel pipes with diameters ranging from 700 to 1200 mm and a thickness of 16 to 32 mm. The construction involved 2500 metric tonnes of steel. The structure rests on both ends and in between two supports; its three spans rest on a bundle of 1,200 mm diameter and 8-10 piles up to 36 metres deep. Spherical bearings accommodate vibration and peak thermal expansion of about 200 mm.

The curvature of this iconic bridge is achieved through a space frame truss, which uses mild steel pipes with diameters ranging from 700 to 1200 mm and a thickness of 16 to 32 mm. (Express Photo/Nirmal Harindran)

The tubular bridge structure was precisely fabricated using CNC cutting machines and detailed with Tekla BIM software. The pedestrian pathway is partially shaded by a coloured Ferrari fabric tensile structure and finished with granite and wooden flooring. The Ferrari fabric was imported from Germany, Japan, and Switzerland.

The bridge’s architecture, conceived through a design 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 in the construction of Atal Bridge

The construction of the bridge faced several challenges. Unlike other bridges on the Sabarmati River, which have bulky pile caps, temporary cofferdams had to be created to build the piles. Another challenge was the erection of the hundred-meter spans, which rested on specially designed foundations equipped with bearings to manage thermal expansion during peak summer. The cutting, bending, and welding were all performed at the contractor’s fabrication yard in Punjab before being transported to Gujarat. High standards of finishing components were used to ensure resilience in an open environment.

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

The floor space of the bridge has been further enhanced for public use, incorporating food kiosks, seating areas, and sprinklers to create 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 in August 2022, the bridge has attracted approximately 66.6 lakh visitors, both tourists and residents, making it one of the most visited pedestrian bridges in the world.

Atal Bridge has transformed how people and the city interact with urban assets. (Express Photo/Nirmal Harindran)

Atal Bridge has transformed how people and the city interact with urban assets. Whether the mesmerising sight of birds murmuring against a sunset backdrop or the tranquil connection with the river evoking peace and serenity, the bridge fosters a profound relationship between individuals, their surroundings, and the city.

The bridge fosters a profound relationship between 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 experience is enriched by nearby flower gardens, plazas, and seasonal flower shows. In the future, the bridge will become an even more vibrant and dynamic place as it connects Imagicaa, a planned theme park on the riverfront, to the cultural centre on the western side. The bridge’s popularity also drives significant economic activity, establishing it as 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 significantly changed how citizens perceive and utilise public spaces, showcasing the potential for projects that bring visible change. The success of pedestrian bridges worldwide, such as Atal Bridge in Ahmedabad, Zero Bridge in Srinagar, and the Millennium Bridge in London, underscores the importance of prioritising the development of pedestrian-friendly public spaces along water bodies. These projects create environments that seamlessly blend utility with community and natural harmony.

-Keshav Varma is a retired Gujarat cadre IAS officer and Chairman of the High Level Committee on Urban Planning under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.