AMC Cracks Down on Luxury Car Navratri Vendors Blocking Science City Road

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) launched a major eviction drive along Science City Road on Friday, 2 October, clearing out an unauthorized roadside market where vendors used luxury cars like Audis and BMWs as makeshift shops.

For the past six months, a novel seasonal trend took root along the stretch, reaching its peak ahead of the Navratri festival. Individuals arrived in high-end personal vehicles, parking them along the pavement to sell traditional chaniya cholis, jewellery, perfumes, cakes, and hand-crafted items directly from their boots.

Digital Invites and Roadside Stalls Cause Traffic Bottlenecks

The improvised ‘VIP Market’ gained significant traction across social media platforms and WhatsApp groups. Sellers routinely messaged potential buyers, dropping location pins and directing them to meet along Science City Road to inspect merchandise displayed inside or beside their parked vehicles.

However, as pedestrian footfall and vehicle count surged in the run-up to Navratri, the informal market triggered severe traffic congestion and obstructed footpaths. To restore order, civic officials deployed AMC trucks and enforcement staff on Friday evening, systematically removing all roadside displays and clearing the stretch.

Daily Vigilance Put in Place to Curb Encroachments

Unlike traditional street hawkers operating with wooden carts, these seasonal sellers relied entirely on luxury passenger vehicles to run mobile pop-up stalls. The sudden arrival of civic teams brought an immediate halt to the activity.

To prevent vendors from returning to the high-density corridor, AMC personnel and local police will maintain daily joint patrols along Science City Road. Municipal officials noted that while festive pop-up trade surges during this period, using public thoroughfares and primary roads for unregulated commercial activity violates civic norms and compromises road safety.

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