While traffic jams in the city’s central areas often grab attention, the fast-growing western suburbs of Bopal, Shela, and Shilaj are also struggling with increasing congestion.
Residents have raised many complaints, leading the Ahmedabad district police to start a special drive against illegal parking and roadside encroachments.
According to a media report, the main issue isn’t heavy traffic, but poorly parked vehicles and temporary stalls outside commercial buildings. These setups have turned otherwise modern shopping spots into traffic trouble zones.
SP Om Prakash Jat told Mirror that officers have pinpointed 17 critical locations for immediate action. “These include SOBO Centre, Marygold Commercial, Shaligram Prime Commercial, Gala Magnus Commercial, Prince Corner, TRP Mall, both sides of Ghuma BRTS Road, and VIP Road,” he said.
The crackdown also targets Celebration Commercial, Aaryan Gloria, Shilaj Main Road, Sahara Circle, Sky City Road, Maher Street Main Road, Club O7 Junction, Sukhasan Circle, and the Bopal Fire Station Junction.
“We’re first warning vehicle owners,” SP Jat explained. “But from Sunday onwards, vehicles parked illegally will be towed to a station 5 km away. Owners will have to travel there and pay hefty fines to get their vehicles back.”
Shop owners under scanner
Bopal police station inspector B T Gohil highlighted another aspect of the problem. “Some shop owners themselves park their cars in spaces meant for customers,” he said. “Worse, many have rented out their open forecourts to food and other stalls, pushing visitors to park on the roads.”
The situation has created a domino effect of congestion throughout these areas.
“We’ve instructed shopkeepers and commercial complex owners to sort this out quickly. If they don’t comply, they’ll face strict action,” Gohil warned.
Joint action planned
The police aren’t tackling this alone. Inspector Gohil confirmed they’re working hand-in-hand with the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). “We’ve posted additional traffic personnel to deter illegal parking on busy stretches,” he added. “AMC will also put up proper ‘No Parking’ signs to make sure everyone knows the rules.”
A daily ordeal
For thousands who live or work in these neighbourhoods, traffic jams have become a daily nightmare. One regular commuter painted a grim picture: “Sometimes even the traffic signals don’t work, and drivers coming from the wrong side make things worse. It takes hours to clear the mess. Even cops struggle to sort it out.”
The 16 hotspots
- SOBO Centre
- Marygold Commercial
- Shaligram Prime Commercial
- Prince Corner
- Gala Magnus Commercial
- Prince Corner 7) TRP Mall
- both sides of Ghuma BRTS Road
- VIP Road
- Celebration Commercial
- Aaryan Gloria
- Shilaj Main Road, Sahara Circle
- Sky City Road
- Maher Street Main Road
- Club O7 Junction
- Bopal Fire Station Junction