Illegal parking and wrong-side driving remain major traffic concerns in Ahmedabad despite regular enforcement drives by the Ahmedabad Traffic Police and the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). Across several parts of the city, vehicles can frequently be seen parked along roadsides, near commercial establishments and close to busy junctions, often causing congestion and inconvenience, particularly during peak evening hours.
According to media reports, motorists in Ahmedabad paid nearly ₹262.6 crore in traffic fines during 2025. Wrong-side driving violations accounted for approximately ₹36.3 crore in penalties, while illegal parking offences contributed around ₹34.7 crore. More than 40 lakh traffic violation cases were reportedly recorded during the year.
To address the issue, authorities have identified several stretches as “Zero-Tolerance Roads” for illegal parking. These include Sindhu Bhavan Road, Rajpath-Rangoli Road and Bopal-Ambli Road, where stricter enforcement measures are being planned. Officials are considering imposing penalties ranging from ₹2,000 to ₹3,000 for parking violations on these roads.
The problem is especially evident in commercial zones, where vehicles are often parked outside cafes, shops and office complexes despite parking restrictions. In many locations, two-wheelers and cars occupy footpaths, forcing pedestrians to walk on the road and increasing safety risks. During rush hours, such encroachments contribute to traffic bottlenecks and confusion.
The AMC has also initiated action against residential and commercial buildings over parking-related violations. According to reports, notices were issued to 384 properties after authorities found that vehicles associated with these buildings were regularly parked on roads and footpaths due to inadequate parking facilities within the premises. Civic officials stated that such practices create inconvenience for commuters and nearby residents.
Wrong-side driving continues to pose a significant challenge. Media reports stated that Ahmedabad Traffic Police registered 4,697 cases of wrong-side driving during a special 59-hour enforcement drive in July 2025, collecting fines worth ₹77.51 lakh. Areas such as Chandkheda, Ranip, Sabarmati, Shahpur and Karanj recorded a large number of violations.
Another report noted that 6,001 vehicles were detained in 2024 for wrong-side driving offences. In serious cases, police have also begun registering FIRs under provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.
Despite repeated awareness campaigns and enforcement measures, many motorists continue to drive on the wrong side of the road to avoid traffic signals or shorten travel time. Such violations are particularly common on smaller roads and near U-turn points.
In March 2026, Ahmedabad Traffic Police fined over 22,000 motorists during a week-long special drive. The action included 8,311 illegal parking cases and 1,844 wrong-side driving violations.
The figures indicate that while enforcement efforts remain active, illegal parking and wrong-side driving continue to be persistent challenges across Ahmedabad, affecting road safety and traffic management throughout the city.