Rupa Banerjee Editor at 07:04, 4 March 2026

2026-03-04T07:04:56Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox bridge
| name = Golden Bridge
| native_name = Narmada Bridge
| image = A Foggy moring over river Narmada, Gujarat, India.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Golden Bridge viewed from railway bridge
| carries = Road
| crosses = [[Narmada River]]
| locale = [[Bharuch]] and [[Ankleshwar]] in India
| design = [[Through arch bridge]]
| length = {{Convert|1412|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| width =
| height =
| mainspan =
| begin = 7 December 1877
| complete = 16 May 1881
| open =
| coordinates = {{coord|21.693255|N|73.004936|E|display = inline,title|format=dms}}
}}
[[File:GOLDEN BRIDGE BHARUCH-3.jpg|thumb|Golden bridge on Narmada river]]
The '''Golden Bridge''' connects [[Ankleshwar]] to [[Bharuch]] in the [[Gujarat]] state of western [[India]]. It was built in 1881 by the [[United Kingdom|British]], who needed a bridge across the [[Narmada River]] to create better access to trade and administration officials in [[Bombay]] (now called Mumbai).<ref name=TI1>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/Golden-Bridge-stands-true-to-its-name-now/articleshow/14855904.cms | title=Golden Bridge stands true to its name now | date=12 July 2012 | newspaper=The Times of India | accessdate=1 July 2018 }}</ref> The bridge is also called the '''Narmada Bridge'''.

==Construction==
The British started construction on the iron bridge on 7 December 1877. The bridge was contracted by the [[Bombay, Baroda, and Central India Railway]] and was designed by [[Sir John Hawkshaw]].<ref name=TI2>{{cite news | url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/nostalgia/1419719/indias-golden-bridge-is-still-standing-139-years-after-being-made-from-the-same-iron-as-the-doomed-first-tay-rail-bridge/ | title=India's Golden Bridge is still standing 139 years after being made from the same iron as the doomed first Tay Rail Bridge | date=7 July 2020 | newspaper=The Courier | accessdate=11 March 2021 }}</ref> The bridge was completed on 16 May 1881 at a cost of [[Indian rupee|Rs]] 45.65 [[lakh]]s. Originally named the Narmada Bridge, it came to be known as the Golden Bridge on account of the heavy expenditure incurred during construction due to damage from heavy water flow. After independence, it became part of the national highway.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-05-17 |title=Golden Bridge standing tall after 134 years |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/golden-bridge-standing-tall-after-134-years/articleshow/47315320.cms |access-date=2025-07-03 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> However, the flow of heavy traffic was reduced after a new bridge on Narmada was built.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-07-13 |title=Gujarat: Bharuch-Ankleshwar travel time reduced to 10 minutes |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/bharuch-ankleshwar-travel-time-reduced-to-10-minutes/articleshow/84356575.cms |access-date=2025-07-03 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> The length of the Golden Bridge is {{convert|1412|m|ft}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Golden Narmada Bridge – DurgaSahai |url=https://durgasahai.com/tourist-places/golden-narmada-bridge/ |access-date=2025-07-03 |website=durgasahai.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Impact of 2023 Bharuch Flood ===
In September 2023, the Golden Bridge experienced significant challenges due to severe flooding in [[Bharuch]]. The flood was caused by continuous heavy rainfall and the release of water from the [[Sardar Sarovar Dam]] on the [[Narmada River]]. The water level of the Narmada River near the Golden Bridge reached about 9 feet above the danger mark, leading to the evacuation of over 2,000 people and around 500 cattle to relief camps.<ref>{{cite web |date=2023-09-17 |title=Narmada water level above danger mark in Gujarat's Bharuch; over 2,000 shifted |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/narmada-water-level-above-danger-mark-in-gujarats-bharuch-over-2000-shifted20230917205556/ |publisher=ANI News}}</ref> The bridge was temporarily closed to traffic due to waterlogging and safety concerns.<ref>{{cite web |date=2023-09-17 |title=Bharuch flood: Narmada Maiya bridge declared shut for traffic |url=https://deshgujarat.com/2023/09/17/bharuch-flood-narmada-maiya-bridge-declared-shut-for-traffic/ |publisher=DeshGujarat}}</ref> The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were deployed in the area for rescue operations.<ref>{{cite web |date=2023-09-18 |title=Gujarat rain: Bharuch faces flood-like situation as heavy rainfall continues |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/gujarat/gujarat-rain-bharuch-faces-flood-like-situation-heavy-rainfall-continues-incessant-downpours-sardar-sarovar-narmada-river-dam-2023-09-18-893409 |publisher=IndiaTV News}}</ref>

== Operation and Significance ==
For nearly a century, Golden Bridge was the only road crossing of the Narmada between [[Bharuch]] and [[Ankleshwar]], carrying buses, trucks and pedestrian traffic bound for [[Mumbai|Bombay]] and central India. Its narrow width, just two vehicle lanes became famous for nightly pilgrim processions during river side festivals, and its vantage point remains a popular sunset lookout.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-06 |title=Bharuch Golden Bridge Closes Forever to Public Access |url=https://deshgujarat.com/2025/01/06/bharuch-golden-bridge-closes-forever-to-public-access/ |access-date=2025-07-03 |website=DeshGujarat |language=en-US}}</ref> Structural inspections in the 1970s and 2000s affirmed its resilience: despite exposure to floods, monsoon currents and occasional tremors, the iron superstructure exhibited only minor corrosion and deformation thanks to regular maintenance by [[Western Railway zone|Western Railway]] and later state PWD teams.<ref>{{cite news |title=Golden Bridge on Narmada River shut for vehicle and pedestrian movements |work=DeshGujarat |date=14 July 2023 |url=https://deshgujarat.com/2023/07/14/golden-bridge-on-narmada-river-shut-for-vehicle-and-pedestrian-movements/ |access-date=2025-07-02}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Silver Jubilee Railway Bridge Bharuch]]
* [[3rd Narmada Bridge]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Structurae|id=20070840}}

{{Hydrography of Gujarat}}

[[Category:Bridges completed in 1881]]
[[Category:Bharuch district]]
[[Category:Bridges over the Narmada River]]
[[Category:Bridges in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Transport in Ankleshwar]]
[[Category:Transport in Bharuch]]
[[Category:1881 establishments in India]]

Golden Bridge (India) - Revision history

Rupa Banerjee Editor at 07:04, 4 March 2026