Kalupur-Saraspur Road Widening Project Put on Hold After Protests Over Impact on Religious Sites

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has temporarily put on hold its proposed Kalupur-Saraspur road widening project following protests from locals and religious organisations over the potential impact on private properties, including a historic gurdwara and mosques situated along the route.

The project forms part of wider efforts to improve connectivity to the redeveloped Kalupur railway station under the World Class Station Development Programme and to strengthen access to the upcoming Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train corridor.

Under the proposal, the existing 12.20-metre-wide road connecting Saraspur ITI and Kalupur Bridge via the local gurdwara was to be widened to 30.50 metres to ease congestion and accommodate future transport infrastructure requirements.

The plan would require the acquisition of nearly 14,046 square metres of land along the stretch. AMC has already issued notices to 13 major property owners and institutions falling within the proposed alignment.

Religious Bodies Raise Concerns

Opposition intensified after representatives of the local gurdwara committee informed civic authorities that the proposed alignment would affect a portion of the shrine's sacred gadi parikrama route.

The committee argued that the gurdwara, which has been functioning since 1960, serves thousands of devotees and operates a daily community kitchen providing meals to the needy. It also runs an educational institution on its premises.

Representatives warned that even partial demolition could compromise the structure's stability and disrupt religious as well as educational activities.

Local residents and trustees of other affected religious institutions also expressed concerns over land acquisition, compensation and the loss of heritage structures.

Standing Committee Orders Fresh Study

Following multiple representations from affected stakeholders, the AMC Standing Committee decided to defer the project for the time being and ordered officials to undertake a fresh ground survey and review of the proposed alignment.

Standing Committee Chairman Kamlesh Patel said several property owners had raised concerns regarding the extent of land acquisition and sought clarity on compensation mechanisms.

"Many people approached the corporation with questions regarding how much land would be affected and what compensation they would receive. Keeping these representations in mind, we have asked officials to conduct a fresh study before proceeding further," Patel said.

Also Read: Bullet Train Road-Widening Plan Triggers Anger as Demolitions Loom Over Religious Sites, Homes in Ahmedabad

Compensation to Follow Existing Rules

Municipal officials clarified that the exercise was not an encroachment removal drive but a statutory land acquisition process linked to road widening.

Officials said affected property owners would be compensated in accordance with prevailing regulations through mechanisms such as Transferable Development Rights (TDR), Floor Space Index (FSI) benefits or compensation based on prevailing market rates.

The revised assessment is expected to determine whether modifications can be made to the alignment to minimise the impact on religious and community structures while meeting transport and infrastructure objectives.