Encroachment drive limited to 7 roads amid HC PIL, traffic issues flagged on 76 stretches in Ahmedabad

Even as a public interest litigation (PIL) on traffic congestion is underway in the Gujarat High Court, the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has come under criticism for removing encroachments on only seven roads, despite traffic problems being reported on at least 76 roads across the city.

The issue triggered sharp reactions during a recent meeting of the Town Planning (TP) Committee, where members accused the estate department of carrying out selective action merely to demonstrate compliance ahead of High Court hearings.

Committee members said that for over a month, encroachment removal drives have been limited to a few identified stretches, while congestion continues unabated on dozens of other roads.

Directing officials to take comprehensive action, the TP Committee asked the estate department to frame a clear policy and remove encroachments from all affected roads instead of targeting select areas.

Members pointed out that major roads and footpaths across all 48 wards are plagued by encroachments, worsening daily traffic conditions.

During the meeting, some members alleged that the corporation springs into action only when court hearings approach, launching sudden drives against street vendors, carts and kiosks. “Encroachments seem to become visible only after the High Court intervenes, though citizens have been suffering for years,” one member remarked.

The committee noted that traffic congestion is most severe in the central zone, including stretches such as Civil Hospital Road, Relief Road, Gandhi Road, Lal Darwaja, Geeta Mandir Road, Panchkuva and Raipur Darwaja Road. However, officials were accused of focusing mainly on roads like SG Highway, Judges Bungalow Road, CG Road, Ghatlodia–High Court Road and a few other corridors.

TP Committee members reiterated that unless uniform and sustained action is taken citywide, piecemeal encroachment drives will fail to ease Ahmedabad’s growing traffic woes.