The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has launched an extensive city-wide mega drive under its five-pronged strategy to ease traffic congestion caused by rising vehicular load and poor road management.
The campaign is being implemented simultaneously across all seven zones of the city, with focused action on major roads, model roads, junction development and stretches falling under the High Court’s PIL route. Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Estate) Riddesh Rawal said the strategy is based on five key pillars — Engineering, Enforcement, Encouragement, Education and Evaluation — aimed at finding a permanent solution to Ahmedabad’s traffic woes.
Intensive work on main roads
AMC teams are carrying out intensive operations in three shifts — morning, evening and night — to address road encroachments and parking-related issues. Special attention is being given to major arterial roads such as CG Road, Ashram Road, SG Highway, and the 132-ft and 150-ft Ring Roads. The drive will continue uninterrupted in the coming days to ensure smoother traffic flow. As per High Court directions, pressure-relief work on key roads under the PIL route has been ongoing for the past two years.
Significant improvement in traffic management
Teams led by Deputy Estate Officers in each zone, supported by enforcement squads, vehicles and labourers, are implementing the drive. Between April and December, AMC collected ₹4.02 crore in administrative charges and fines. During this period, 58,000 illegal hoardings and 14,000 lorries were removed, while nearly 91 km of public roads were cleared. Bhadra Chowk and the Lal Darwaza–Bhadra area have been made permanently congestion-free. Traffic conditions have also improved following intensive work on roads identified by the Gujarat State Legal Services Authority over the past one-and-a-half months.
Digital enforcement and parking action
Rawal said that following High Court directives and complaints about private premises not using their designated parking spaces, AMC surveyed 64 roads and issued notices to 378 commercial units, malls, religious places and educational institutions. Strict action will be taken against those failing to comply. The Estate Department has also implemented an online challan and digital penalty system to strengthen enforcement.
Parking discipline and future plans
To ensure parking discipline, AMC has installed “No Parking” and “No Vending Zone” signages across the city. An official announcement on free and paid parking is expected soon. The civic body plans to develop parking facilities for around 38,000 two-wheelers and 21,000 four-wheelers. Surveys conducted by private agencies in the North, North-West and West zones have led to a preliminary report, with the first phase set to be implemented on five selected routes.
In the East zone, AMC and the Railway Department will move forward with plans to construct railway overbridges at Vatwa, Punitnagar and Maninagar crossings to tackle rising traffic pressure.
Joint teams of AMC, NHAI, Railways, Traffic Police and R&B departments are conducting surveys across the city to identify short-term and long-term solutions. Rawal added that Ahmedabad’s 2023 parking policy focuses on maximum use of public transport, supported by strong infrastructure such as Metro, BRTS and AMTS. A joint survey is also underway to assess parking facilities at metro stations across the city.