Ellis Bridge - Revision history

SanjayMurugesan220: cleanup section additionally and corrected details for accuracy

2025-03-27T21:38:23Z

cleanup section additionally and corrected details for accuracy

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:08, 28 March 2025
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			{{Short description\|Century-old bridge in Ahmedabad, Gujarat}}
	{{Distinguish\|Vivekananda Flyover Bridge}}		{{Distinguish\|Vivekananda Flyover Bridge}}
	{{~~EngvarB~~\|date=May 2014}}		{{use Indian English\|date=May 2014}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=May 2014}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=May 2014}}

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	\|open = 1892		\|open = 1892
	\|heritage = Protected site since 1989		\|heritage = Protected site since 1989
	\|collapsed = Wooden bridge (~~1870-1875~~)		\|collapsed = Wooden bridge (1870–1875)
	\|preceded = Nehru bridge		\|preceded = Nehru bridge
	\|followed = Sardar bridge		\|followed = Sardar bridge
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	\|long =		\|long =
	}}		}}
	'''Ellis Bridge''' is a century old bridge ~~situated~~ in [[Ahmedabad]], [[Gujarat]]. It bridges the western and 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'''.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Road-ahead-Names-that-fly-over-Ahmedabad/articleshow/34942535.cms\|title=Road ahead: Names that fly over Ahmedabad ~~{{!}} Ahmedabad News - Times of India~~\|~~last~~=May 11\|first=Ankur ~~Tewari {{!}} TNN {{!}} Updated~~\|~~last2~~=~~2014~~\|website=The Times of India\|language=en\|access-date=2019-09-19~~\|last3=Ist\|first3=2:53~~}}</ref>		The '''Ellis Bridge''' is a century-old bridge in [[Ahmedabad]], [[Gujarat]]. It bridges the western and eastern parts of the city across the [[Sabarmati River]]. This bowstring arch [[truss bridge]] was the first bridge in Ahmedabad, constructed in 1892. Concrete wings were added on either side in 1997 and it was renamed the '''Swami Vivekananda Bridge'''.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Road-ahead-Names-that-fly-over-Ahmedabad/articleshow/34942535.cms\|title=Road ahead: Names that fly over Ahmedabad\|date=May 11, 2014\|first=Ankur\|last=Tewari\|website=The Times of India\|language=en\|access-date=2019-09-19}}</ref>

	==History==		==History==
	[[File:Ellisbridge Plaque Block.JPG\|thumb\|left\|Foundation block of Ellis Bridge. Now at [[Sanskar Kendra]].]]		[[File:Ellisbridge Plaque Block.JPG\|thumb\|left\|Foundation block of Ellis Bridge. 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=https://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 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 government money, Himmatlal was subsequently honoured with the 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 \|access-date=4 April 2013 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103150901/http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article&sectname=News%20-%20City&sectid=3&contentid=201002042010020402552458c42a24a3 \|archive-date=3 November 2013 \|df=dmy }}</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 \| access-date=4 April 2013}}</ref>		The original wooden bridge was constructed by British engineers in 1870–1871 at a cost of £54,920 (Rs. 5,49,200). Except for two spans on banks, it was destroyed by floods in 1875.<ref>{{cite book\|title=Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Ahmedabad\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EL4IAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA326\|year=1879\|publisher=Government Central Press\|page=327}}</ref> A steel bridge was built 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 found that the construction was of superior quality. For saving government money, Himmatlal was subsequently honoured with the 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 \|access-date=4 April 2013 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103150901/http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article&sectname=News%20-%20City&sectid=3&contentid=201002042010020402552458c42a24a3 \|archive-date=3 November 2013 \|df=dmy }}</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 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017194429/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 \| url-status=dead \| archive-date=17 October 2013 \| title=On heritage day eve, Ahmedabad burns its bridge with Gandhi \| work=[[The Times of India]] \| date=18 April 2012 \| access-date=4 April 2013}}</ref>
	The ~~Foundation Block~~ of ~~Ellisbridge~~ was later moved to the [[Sanskar Kendra]]. It reads, {{~~quote~~\|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.}}		The foundation block of the Ellis bridge was later moved to the [[Sanskar Kendra]]. It reads, {{blockquote\|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 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104063542/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-17/ahmedabad/31355158_1_hope-bridge-ellisbridge-arches \| url-status=dead \| archive-date=4 November 2013 \| title=Ellisbridge may go Hope Bridge way \| work=[[The Times of India]] \| date=17 April 2012 \| access-date=4 April 2013 \| author=John, Paul}}</ref>		Thousands heard [[Mahatma Gandhi]] declaring his [[Salt March\|Dandi march]] on 8 March 1930 from the Ellis bridge.<ref name="mgg">{{cite news \| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-17/ahmedabad/31355158_1_hope-bridge-ellisbridge-arches \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104063542/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-17/ahmedabad/31355158_1_hope-bridge-ellisbridge-arches \| url-status=dead \| archive-date=4 November 2013 \| title=Ellisbridge may go Hope Bridge way \| work=[[The Times of India]] \| date=17 April 2012 \| access-date=4 April 2013 \| author=John, Paul}}</ref>

	~~The proposals~~ to pull down the bridge were made in 1973, 1983 and 1986 but ~~all~~ were rejected. ~~Later the~~ [[Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation]] ~~(AMC)~~ declared the Ellis bridge and its boundary, [[Manek Burj]] and the natural water drain near one of the banks of Sabarmati river ~~as the~~ protected sites in May 1989.<ref name="ah"/>		Proposals to pull down the bridge were made in 1973, 1983 and 1986 but were rejected. The [[Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation]] declared the Ellis bridge and its boundary, [[Manek Burj]] and the natural water drain near one of the banks of Sabarmati river 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. New concrete bridges were constructed on either side of the steel bridge to support heavy traffic in 1999 at cost of {{INR convert\|18\|c\|year=1999}}, 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 after [[Swami Vivekanand]].<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~~ \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104063016/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-02/surat/30105331_1_hope-bridge-vivekanand-bridge-steel-bridge \| url-status=~~dead~~ \| archive-date=4 November 2013 \| title=Hope lies in Ellisbridge \| work=[[The Times of India]] \| date=2 September 2011 \| access-date=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 \| access-date=7 January 2015}}</ref>		The original steel bridge was narrow and not suited for heavy motorized traffic and so it was closed in 1997. New concrete bridges were constructed on either side of the steel bridge to support heavy traffic in 1999 at cost of {{INR convert\|18\|c\|year=1999}}, 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 Swami Vivekananda bridge after [[Swami Vivekanand]].<ref name="ah"/><ref name="hope">{{cite news \| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/Hope-lies-in-Ellisbridge/articleshow/9839789.cms \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104063016/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-02/surat/30105331_1_hope-bridge-vivekanand-bridge-steel-bridge \| url-status=live \| archive-date=4 November 2013 \| title=Hope lies in Ellisbridge \| work=[[The Times of India]] \| date=2 September 2011 \| access-date=4 April 2013 \| last=John \|first=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 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108000533/http://lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=2&edlabel=TOIA&mydateHid=27-02-2011&pubname=&edname=&articleid=Ar00202&format=&publabel=TOI \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=8 January 2015 \| access-date=7 January 2015}}</ref>

	===Reconstruction ~~proposal~~===		===Reconstruction and redevelopment proposals===
	[[File:Ellis Bridge.jpg\|thumb\|Ellis Bridge at evening\|left]]		[[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 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811062542/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-04-20/ahmedabad/28130366_1_brts-corridor-brts-bus-brts-route \| url-status=dead \| archive-date=11 August 2011 \| title=Ellisbridge to go & come back as BRTS route \| work=[[The Times of India]] \| date=20 April 2010 \| author=Paul John}}</ref> Later the ~~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 \| access-date=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 \| access-date=24 April 2013}}</ref>		It was found that steel piers of the bridge became 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\|Ahmedabad Bus Rapid Transit System]] 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 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811062542/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-04-20/ahmedabad/28130366_1_brts-corridor-brts-bus-brts-route \| url-status=dead \| archive-date=11 August 2011 \| title=Ellisbridge to go & come back as BRTS route \| work=[[The Times of India]] \| date=20 April 2010 \| author=Paul John}}</ref> Later the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation shelved the proposal of the new bridge for the bus system.<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 \| access-date=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 \| access-date=24 April 2013}}</ref>

			In 2020, the [[Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation]] consulted an agency to propose the conservation measures and to do metallurgical studies. The redevelopment proposal was prepared but the project has not been implemented as of 2023.<ref>{{Cite news \|date=2023-08-03 \|title=Restoration plan stalled, Ellis Bridge's legacy at risk \|work=The Times of India \|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/restoration-plan-stalled-ellis-bridges-legacy-at-risk/articleshow/102368356.cms?from=mdr \|access-date=2023-08-05 \|issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|title=AMC to upgrade integrity of historical Ellis Bridge \|url=https://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/amc-to-upgrade-integrity-of-historical-ellis-bridge/81861429.html \|access-date=2023-08-05 \|website=Ahmedabad Mirror \|language=en}}</ref>

			In July 2024, Government of Gujarat approved Rs. 32.40 crore for its restoration.<ref>{{cite web \| url=https://deshgujarat.com/2024/07/08/gujarat-govt-approves-rs-32-40-crore-for-restoration-strenghening-of-ellis-bridge-in-ahmedabad/ \| title=Gujarat govt approves Rs. 32.40 crore for restoration & strengthening of Ellis Bridge in Ahmedabad \| date=8 July 2024 }}</ref>

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

	==References==		==References==
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	[[Category:Bridges completed in 1892]]		[[Category:Bridges completed in 1892]]
	[[Category:Truss bridges]]		[[Category:Truss bridges in India]]
	[[Category:Bridges in Ahmedabad]]		[[Category:Bridges in Ahmedabad]]
	[[Category:1892 establishments in India]]		[[Category:1892 establishments in India]]

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{{Distinguish|Vivekananda Flyover Bridge}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}

{{Infobox Bridge
|bridge_name = Ellis Bridge
|image = Ellis bridge.jpg
|caption = View of old 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)|Ellis Bridge area]], [[Ahmedabad]]
|maint = [[Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation]]
|designer =
|design = Bowstring arch [[truss bridge]]
|material = Steel, cum 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 since 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 bridge situated in [[Ahmedabad]], [[Gujarat]]. It bridges the western and 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'''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Road-ahead-Names-that-fly-over-Ahmedabad/articleshow/34942535.cms|title=Road ahead: Names that fly over Ahmedabad {{!}} Ahmedabad News - Times of India|last=May 11|first=Ankur Tewari {{!}} TNN {{!}} Updated|last2=2014|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-09-19|last3=Ist|first3=2:53}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Ellisbridge Plaque Block.JPG|thumb|left|Foundation block of Ellis Bridge. 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=https://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 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 government money, Himmatlal was subsequently honoured with the 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 |access-date=4 April 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103150901/http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article&sectname=News%20-%20City&sectid=3&contentid=201002042010020402552458c42a24a3 |archive-date=3 November 2013 |df=dmy }}</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 | access-date=4 April 2013}}</ref>
The Foundation Block of Ellisbridge was later moved to the [[Sanskar Kendra]]. It reads, {{quote|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 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104063542/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-17/ahmedabad/31355158_1_hope-bridge-ellisbridge-arches | url-status=dead | archive-date=4 November 2013 | title=Ellisbridge may go Hope Bridge way | work=[[The Times of India]] | date=17 April 2012 | access-date=4 April 2013 | author=John, Paul}}</ref>

The proposals to pull down the bridge were made in 1973, 1983 and 1986 but all were rejected. Later the [[Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation]] (AMC) declared the Ellis bridge and its boundary, [[Manek Burj]] and the natural water drain near one of the banks of Sabarmati river as the 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. New concrete bridges were constructed on either side of the steel bridge to support heavy traffic in 1999 at cost of {{INR convert|18|c|year=1999}}, 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 after [[Swami Vivekanand]].<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 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104063016/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-02/surat/30105331_1_hope-bridge-vivekanand-bridge-steel-bridge | url-status=dead | archive-date=4 November 2013 | title=Hope lies in Ellisbridge | work=[[The Times of India]] | date=2 September 2011 | access-date=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 | access-date=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 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811062542/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-04-20/ahmedabad/28130366_1_brts-corridor-brts-bus-brts-route | url-status=dead | archive-date=11 August 2011 | title=Ellisbridge to go & come back as BRTS route | work=[[The Times of India]] | date=20 April 2010 | author=Paul John}}</ref> Later the 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 | access-date=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 | access-date=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 several films such as in ''[[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}}

{{Ahmedabad topics |state=collapsed}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Bridges completed in 1892]]
[[Category:Truss bridges]]
[[Category:Bridges in Ahmedabad]]
[[Category:1892 establishments in India]]