Ahmedabad’s Kankaria Lakefront Flooded With Over 1.5 Lakh Visitors in Three Days of Diwali Vacation

AHMEDABAD — Ahmedabad’s iconic Kankaria Lakefront turned into a sea of people during the recent Diwali break, recording a massive 363 percent surge in footfall over a three-day window compared to the previous month.

Municipal figures show that between 9 and 11 November, a staggering 1,57,690 people flocked to the popular entertainment hub. By comparison, only 34,063 visitors checked into the premises during the same three-day stretch in October, marking a staggering 4.63-fold jump in attendance.

Record Crowds Peak on 10 and 11 November

Despite 9 November falling on a Monday—a customary weekly off when the complex generally sees lighter traffic—the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) kept the gates open for the public. The decision paid off immediately as 28,572 visitors walked through the turnstiles, a sharp 381 percent increase from the 5,941 recorded on 9 October.

The rush peaked over the next two days. On 10 November, a massive crowd of 67,097 people descended on the lakefront—surging roughly 538 percent higher than the 10,522 visitors seen on 10 October. Momentum remained exceptionally high on 11 November, drawing another 62,021 citizens and tourists, eclipsing the 17,600 recorded a month prior.

While routine days at Kankaria typically attract between 6,000 and 17,000 visitors daily, the festive holiday numbers overwhelmed these standard averages, with back-to-back days exceeding 60,000 entries.

Zoo, Balvatika, and Toy Train Main Draws

Families and holiday-makers crowded the myriad attractions dotting the promenade. The Kamala Nehru Zoological Garden, Balvatika, the Nocturnal Zoo, the Atal Express train ride, the Butterfly Park, and multiple amusement rides emerged as the prime draws for children and adults alike.

In response to the heavy influx of locals and out-of-town tourists, municipal authorities stepped up sanitation measures, enhanced security protocols, and closely monitored perimeter traffic management to keep the festive crowds moving smoothly.