Facing strong criticism from the Gujarat High Court over the city’s worsening traffic situation, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has constituted five special teams headed by Deputy Municipal Commissioners to improve traffic management. However, the decision to assign the responsibility as an additional charge has raised doubts about the effectiveness of the initiative.
The move is aimed at strengthening the civic body’s Traffic Planning Cell following the High Court’s displeasure over persistent traffic congestion, illegal parking and inadequate traffic infrastructure across Ahmedabad. Yet, civic officials question whether officers already burdened with their regular departmental responsibilities will be able to devote sufficient time to the new assignment.
HC criticism triggers action
According to municipal sources, the AMC has repeatedly instructed officials to improve traffic flow by clearing blocked left turns, maintaining traffic signals, installing zebra crossings and speed breakers, and removing roadside encroachments. However, much of the work remained dependent on private contractors, while senior officials continued to juggle multiple departmental responsibilities, resulting in limited progress.
Illegal parking under focus
The Estate Department has also come under scrutiny for failing to curb illegal roadside parking outside commercial complexes and residential societies. Officials are alleged to have relied mainly on issuing notices without ensuring enforcement, allowing unauthorised parking and encroachments to continue across several parts of the city.
27 officials deployed
As part of the action plan submitted after the High Court hearing, the AMC has established a dedicated Traffic Planning Cell led by five Deputy Municipal Commissioners.
Each team comprises an Assistant Commissioner, Deputy Head of Department, Chief Accountant, Additional Engineer, 10 engineers, and officials from the Estate, Town Development Officer (TDO) and Light departments. In total, 27 officers and employees have been assigned to the initiative.
Additional charge raises concerns
Despite the revamped structure, officials within the civic administration remain sceptical about its impact. Rather than being posted exclusively to the Traffic Planning Cell, all officers will continue to handle their existing duties alongside the new responsibilities.
Municipal insiders believe the additional-charge model could undermine the initiative, as officers already managing heavy workloads may find it difficult to focus on traffic planning and enforcement.
The development comes amid mounting traffic congestion in Ahmedabad, with the Gujarat High Court intensifying scrutiny and increasing pressure on civic authorities to deliver visible improvements on the ground.