Ahmedabad Civic Staff Protest Triggers 3-Hour Traffic Gridlock From Ellisbridge To Astodia

Ahmedabad: A protest by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation employees’ union over pending demands caused severe traffic disruption across central Ahmedabad on Thursday, with vehicles stuck for nearly three hours from Ellisbridge through Khadia, Bhadra Mandir and Manek Chowk to Astodia Darwaja.

The protest outside the municipal corporation office also disrupted access to the civic headquarters, leaving some officials attending a Standing Committee meeting to abandon their vehicles and walk to the office. Ambulances and 108 emergency vehicles were also caught in the congestion.

Protest Blocks Access To AMC Office

The employees’ union began its sit-in on Thursday afternoon, demanding resolution of its long-pending issues. Employees gathered near both gates of the municipal corporation office and held the protest with a music system.

Two trucks were also positioned on the road as employees sat in protest, severely affecting traffic movement towards the civic office. Both gates of the municipal building were effectively blocked, restricting entry and exit.

The resulting congestion extended across an estimated 1 to 1.5-kilometre stretch, with long queues reported from Ellisbridge towards Khadia, Bhadra Mandir, Manek Chowk and Astodia.

Officials Forced To Walk To Office

The traffic jam also affected municipal officials arriving for a Standing Committee meeting. Some officials were reportedly forced to leave their vehicles on the road and walk to the civic office, while others reached the meeting late after getting caught in the congestion.

The disruption continued for around three hours, causing difficulties for motorists and pedestrians in the busy central-city area.

Motorists Struggle Despite Police Presence

Although police personnel were present, traffic was not effectively eased for a prolonged period, according to the situation described at the site.

At some locations, motorists themselves had to guide each other through the congested stretches in an attempt to restore movement. Vehicles parked haphazardly on both sides of the road further worsened the situation.

Commissioner Assures Employees Of Resolution

A meeting between the employees’ union and the municipal commissioner was held after the Standing Committee meeting concluded. The commissioner discussed the employees’ concerns for around 20 minutes and assured them that their issues would be resolved within one and a half months.

Union members said the traffic disruption could possibly have been avoided if the commissioner had held a meeting with them and provided clarity on their demands before the Standing Committee meeting. They said this could also have allowed the protest to end earlier.

108 Ambulances Caught In Traffic Jam

Emergency vehicles, including ambulances carrying patients and 108 emergency vehicles, were also caught in the traffic jam as movement remained disrupted for an extended period.

Other motorists attempted to make way for the emergency vehicles to help them get through the congestion. The protest and resulting traffic blockage left commuters and pedestrians facing considerable inconvenience across one of Ahmedabad’s busy central stretches.