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Coordinates: 23°01′20″N 72°34′31″E / 23.02222°N 72.57528°E / 23.02222; 72.57528
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{{Infobox Bridge
{{delete|cross-wiki vandalism}}
|bridge_name = Swami Vivekananda Bridge
|image = Ellis bridge.jpg
|caption = View of Swami Vivekananda Bridge from the new extension bridge
|official_name = Swami Vivekananda Bridge
|named_for = Sir Barrow Helbert Ellis
|carries = Road Traffic
|crosses = [[Sabarmati River]]
|locale = [[Ellis bridge (area)]], [[Ahmedabad]]
|maint = [[Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation]]
|designer =
|design = Bowstring arch [[truss bridge]]
|material = Steel, Cement, Alloy
|spans = 14
|pierswater = 28
|mainspan =
|length = {{convert|480|m}}
|builder = Himmatlal Dhirajram Bhachech
|width = {{convert|6.3|m}}
|height =
| cost = Rs 407564
|load = 1196 tonnes
|clearance =
|below =
|traffic =
|begin = 1889
|complete = 1892
|open = 1892
|heritage = Protected site from 1989
|collapsed = wooden bridge (1870-1875)
|preceded = Nehru bridge
|followed = Sardar bridge
|closed = 1997
|replaces = concrete bridge (1999-present)
|toll =
|coordinates = {{Coord|23|01|20|N|72|34|31|E|display=it}}
|lat =
|long =
}}
'''Ellis Bridge''' is a century old heritage bridge situated in [[Ahmedabad]], [[Gujarat]]. It bridges the Western & Eastern parts of the city across the [[Sabarmati river]]. This bowstring arch [[truss bridge]] was the first bridge of Ahmedabad constructed in 1892. Later new concrete wings were constructed on either side in 1997 and it was renamed as '''Swami Vivekananda Bridge''' but is still known to people by its old name.


==History==
[[File:Stop hand nuvola.svg|30px|alt=Stop icon]] This is your '''only warning'''; if you [[Wikipedia:Vandalism|vandalize]] Wikipedia again, you may be '''[[Wikipedia:Blocking policy|blocked from editing]] without further notice'''. <!-- Template:uw-vandalism4im -->
[[File:Ellisbridge Plaque Block.JPG|thumb|left|Foundation Block of Ellisbridge. Now at [[Sanskar Kendra]].]]


The original wooden bridge was constructed by British engineers in 1870–71 at a cost of £54,920 (Rs. 5,49,200). Except two spans on banks, It was destroyed by floods in 1875.<ref>{{cite book|title=Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Ahmedabad|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=EL4IAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA326|year=1879|publisher=Government Central Press|page=327}}</ref> A new steel bridge was rebuilt in 1892 by engineer [[Himmatlal Dhirajram Bhachech]] and named after [[Barrow Helbert Ellis|Sir Barrow Helbert Ellis]], the commissioner of the North Zone. The steel was imported from [[Birmingham]]. Himmatlal built it at a cost of Rs 407,000 which was lower than the budget of Rs 500,000. The Government grew suspicious and thought that low quality materials were used by Himmatlal. An inquiry committee was set up and it found that the construction was of superior quality. For saving the Government money, Himmatlal was subsequently honoured with title of [[Rao Bahadur|Rao Sahib]].<ref name="ah">{{cite news | url=http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article&sectname=News%20-%20City&sectid=3&contentid=201002042010020402552458c42a24a3 | title=Bridges - To past, present & Future | work=[[Ahmedabad Mirror]] | date=4 February 2010 | accessdate=4 April 2013}}</ref><ref name="bridgeg">{{cite news | url=http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIA/2012/04/18&PageLabel=1&EntityId=Ar00100&ViewMode=HTML | title=On heritage day eve, Ahmedabad burns its bridge with Gandhi | work=[[The Times of India]] | date=18 April 2012 | accessdate=4 April 2013}}</ref>
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The Foundation Block of Ellisbridge was later moved to the [[Sanskar Kendra]]. It reads, ''The Ellis Bridge - So named by Government after Sir Barrow Helbert Ellis : K.G.S.I. was built in 1869 and 1870. At a cost of Rs:549,210 destroyed by the great flood of 22 September 1875 and rebuilt in 1890 and 1895 by Government, Local Bodies and Private Subscribers. At a further cost of Rs. 407,564. This the First Stone of the new bridge was laid by His Excellency [[Donald James Mackay, 11th Lord Reay|Donald James eleventh Lord Reay]] C.C.I.E.LL.D. Governor of Bombay 19 December 1889.''

Thousands heard [[Mahatma Gandhi]] declaring his [[Salt March|Dandi march]] on 8 March 1930 from Ellis bridge.<ref name="mgg">{{cite news | url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-17/ahmedabad/31355158_1_hope-bridge-ellisbridge-arches | title=Ellisbridge may go Hope Bridge way | work=[[The Times of India]] | date=17 April 2012 | accessdate=4 April 2013 | author=John, Paul}}</ref>

Proposals were made to pull down the bridge in 1973, 1983 and 1986 but all were rejected. Later [[Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation]] (AMC) declared Ellis bridge and its boundary, [[Manek Burj]] and the natural water drain near one of the banks of [[Sabarmati river]] as protected sites in May, 1989.<ref name="ah"/>

The original steel bridge was narrow and not suited for heavy motorized traffic and so it was closed in 1997. A newer concrete bridge was constructed on either side of the steel bridge to support heavy traffic in 1999 at cost of Rs 180&nbsp;million, and the original steel bridge is preserved as a heritage landmark. After the documentation, the Manek Burj was partially removed and Ganesh Bari, the Maratha constructed gate, was reconstructed to make space for the bridge. The bridge has been renamed as 'Swami Vivekananda bridge'.<ref name="ah"/><ref name="hope">{{cite news | url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-02/surat/30105331_1_hope-bridge-vivekanand-bridge-steel-bridge | title=Hope lies in Ellisbridge | work=[[The Times of India]] | date=2 September 2011 | accessdate=4 April 2013 | author=John, Paul}}</ref><ref name="TimesPub11">{{cite news | title=Ahmedabad says abracadabra | website=Times of India Publications | date=27 February 2011 | first=Parth|last=Shastri|url=http://lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=2&edlabel=TOIA&mydateHid=27-02-2011&pubname=&edname=&articleid=Ar00202&format=&publabel=TOI | accessdate=7 January 2015}}</ref>

===Reconstruction proposal===
[[File:Ellis Bridge.jpg|thumb|Ellis Bridge at evening|left]]
It was found that steel piers of the bridge got corroded due to pollution in the Sabarmati river. Consultants appointed for strengthening the bridge, proposed its demolition in 2012 since building a new bridge would be cheaper than strengthening the existing one. It was also planned to run the [[Ahmedabad BRTS|BRTS]] buses on the new bridge. It is proposed that the steel arches of the old steel bridge should be preserved and placed back on the new bridge.<ref name="mgg"/><ref name="hope"/><ref name="manchester">{{cite news | url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-04-20/ahmedabad/28130366_1_brts-corridor-brts-bus-brts-route | title=Ellisbridge to go & come back as BRTS route | work=[[The Times of India]] | date=20 April 2010 | author=Paul John}}</ref> Later AMC shelved proposal of new bridge for BRTS.<ref name="ppm">{{cite news | url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/1677587/report-no-plan-to-demolish-ellisbridge-amc | title=No plan to demolish Ellisbridge: AMC | work=[[Daily News and Analysis]] | date=18 April 2012 | accessdate=4 April 2013}}</ref><ref name=cvb>{{cite news | url=http://www.dnaindia.com/ahmedabad/1826098/report-old-ellisbridge-to-make-way-for-new-one | title=Old Ellisbridge to make way for new one | work=[[Daily News and Analysis]] | date=23 April 2013 | accessdate=24 April 2013}}</ref>

==Cultural significance==
This 120-year-old bridge has become an iconic landmark and a symbol of Ahmedabad.<ref name="ah"/><ref name="mgg"/> It was featured in films like ''[[Kai Po Che!]]'' (2013) and ''[[Kevi Rite Jaish]]'' (2012). The Karnavati Art Gallery is situated at the western end of the bridge which regularly exhibits art.

==References==

{{commons category}}
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.india.com.my/ahmedabad/ellis_bridge.htm India Tours & Travels Information Portal]

{{Ahmedabad topics |state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Bridges completed in 1892]]
[[Category:Transport in Ahmedabad]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Ahmedabad]]
[[Category:Bridges in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Truss bridges]]

Revision as of 23:07, 31 March 2016

Not to be confused with Vivekananda Flyover Bridge.

Swami Vivekananda Bridge
View of Swami Vivekananda Bridge from the new extension bridge
Coordinates23°01′20″N 72°34′31″E / 23.02222°N 72.57528°E / 23.02222; 72.57528
CarriedRoad Traffic
CrossedSabarmati River
LocaleEllis bridge (area), Ahmedabad
Official nameSwami Vivekananda Bridge
Named forSir Barrow Helbert Ellis
Maintained byAhmedabad Municipal Corporation
Heritage statusProtected site from 1989
Preceded byNehru bridge
Followed bySardar bridge
Characteristics
DesignBowstring arch truss bridge
MaterialSteel, Cement, Alloy
Total length480 metres (1,570 ft)
Width6.3 metres (21 ft)
No. of spans14
Piers in water28
Load limit1196 tonnes
History
Constructed byHimmatlal Dhirajram Bhachech
Construction start1889
Construction end1892
Construction costRs 407564
Opened1892
Collapsedwooden bridge (1870-1875)
Closed1997
Replacedconcrete bridge (1999-present)
Location
Map

Ellis Bridge is a century old heritage bridge situated in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. It bridges the Western & Eastern parts of the city across the Sabarmati river. This bowstring arch truss bridge was the first bridge of Ahmedabad constructed in 1892. Later new concrete wings were constructed on either side in 1997 and it was renamed as Swami Vivekananda Bridge but is still known to people by its old name.

History

Foundation Block of Ellisbridge. Now at Sanskar Kendra.

The original wooden bridge was constructed by British engineers in 1870–71 at a cost of £54,920 (Rs. 5,49,200). Except two spans on banks, It was destroyed by floods in 1875.[1] A new steel bridge was rebuilt in 1892 by engineer Himmatlal Dhirajram Bhachech and named after Sir Barrow Helbert Ellis, the commissioner of the North Zone. The steel was imported from Birmingham. Himmatlal built it at a cost of Rs 407,000 which was lower than the budget of Rs 500,000. The Government grew suspicious and thought that low quality materials were used by Himmatlal. An inquiry committee was set up and it found that the construction was of superior quality. For saving the Government money, Himmatlal was subsequently honoured with title of Rao Sahib.[2][3]

The Foundation Block of Ellisbridge was later moved to the Sanskar Kendra. It reads, The Ellis Bridge - So named by Government after Sir Barrow Helbert Ellis : K.G.S.I. was built in 1869 and 1870. At a cost of Rs:549,210 destroyed by the great flood of 22 September 1875 and rebuilt in 1890 and 1895 by Government, Local Bodies and Private Subscribers. At a further cost of Rs. 407,564. This the First Stone of the new bridge was laid by His Excellency Donald James eleventh Lord Reay C.C.I.E.LL.D. Governor of Bombay 19 December 1889.

Thousands heard Mahatma Gandhi declaring his Dandi march on 8 March 1930 from Ellis bridge.[4]

Proposals were made to pull down the bridge in 1973, 1983 and 1986 but all were rejected. Later Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) declared Ellis bridge and its boundary, Manek Burj and the natural water drain near one of the banks of Sabarmati river as protected sites in May, 1989.[2]

The original steel bridge was narrow and not suited for heavy motorized traffic and so it was closed in 1997. A newer concrete bridge was constructed on either side of the steel bridge to support heavy traffic in 1999 at cost of Rs 180 million, and the original steel bridge is preserved as a heritage landmark. After the documentation, the Manek Burj was partially removed and Ganesh Bari, the Maratha constructed gate, was reconstructed to make space for the bridge. The bridge has been renamed as 'Swami Vivekananda bridge'.[2][5][6]

Reconstruction proposal

Ellis Bridge at evening

It was found that steel piers of the bridge got corroded due to pollution in the Sabarmati river. Consultants appointed for strengthening the bridge, proposed its demolition in 2012 since building a new bridge would be cheaper than strengthening the existing one. It was also planned to run the BRTS buses on the new bridge. It is proposed that the steel arches of the old steel bridge should be preserved and placed back on the new bridge.[4][5][7] Later AMC shelved proposal of new bridge for BRTS.[8][9]

Cultural significance

This 120-year-old bridge has become an iconic landmark and a symbol of Ahmedabad.[2][4] It was featured in films like Kai Po Che! (2013) and Kevi Rite Jaish (2012). The Karnavati Art Gallery is situated at the western end of the bridge which regularly exhibits art.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ellis Bridge.
  1. ^ Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Ahmedabad. Government Central Press. 1879. p. 327.
  2. ^ a b c d "Bridges - To past, present & Future". Ahmedabad Mirror. 4 February 2010. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  3. ^ "On heritage day eve, Ahmedabad burns its bridge with Gandhi". The Times of India. 18 April 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  4. ^ a b c John, Paul (17 April 2012). "Ellisbridge may go Hope Bridge way". The Times of India. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  5. ^ a b John, Paul (2 September 2011). "Hope lies in Ellisbridge". The Times of India. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  6. ^ Shastri, Parth (27 February 2011). "Ahmedabad says abracadabra". Times of India Publications. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  7. ^ Paul John (20 April 2010). "Ellisbridge to go & come back as BRTS route". The Times of India.
  8. ^ "No plan to demolish Ellisbridge: AMC". Daily News and Analysis. 18 April 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  9. ^ "Old Ellisbridge to make way for new one". Daily News and Analysis. 23 April 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
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