AMC plans sports centres under nine flyovers in Ahmedabad

The Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has launched an initiative to develop sports activity centres beneath nine flyovers and overbridges across the city, aiming to utilise vacant urban spaces and encourage greater participation in sports among youngsters.

Under the project, sports facilities are being developed in public-private partnership (PPP) mode beneath selected bridges in both eastern and western parts of Ahmedabad. 

Two such centres have already been opened to the public under the SIMS Hospital Bridge and the Ranip Overbridge, while work on the remaining locations is expected to be taken up in the coming months.

As Ahmedabad plans to become an international-level sports city, it aims to strengthen its sporting infrastructure ahead of the Commonwealth Games and potential Olympic-related activities.

According to civic officials, the centres will offer facilities for a range of indoor and outdoor sports and recreational activities, including air hockey, table tennis, chess, carrom, box cricket, pickleball, basketball, pool, foosball and ludo. Necessary sports equipment will also be made available at the venues.

AMC has stated that adequate arrangements will be made for lighting, CCTV surveillance, cleanliness and regular maintenance to ensure the centres remain safe and accessible to users.

However, sports enthusiasts have questioned whether the new centres will have sufficient facilities, as many municipal sports complexes continue to face shortages of coaches, training facilities, and equipment, forcing many athletes to rely on private clubs for professional training.