Gujarat HC steps in as Ahmedabad parking policy stays on paper four years after state approval

Four years after the Gujarat government approved a parking policy for Ahmedabad, the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has begun moving towards implementation only after directions from the Gujarat High Court. The delay has drawn renewed scrutiny of the civic body’s role in worsening traffic congestion and uneven enforcement on city roads.

Despite the policy receiving state approval in 2021, the corporation had not operationalised it until the court’s intervention. The situation on the ground, critics say, reflects systemic inaction rather than the absence of rules.

Uneven enforcement and civic body’s own violations

The lack of adequate parking infrastructure has resulted in even AMC-owned vehicles being parked on public roads. At the same time, citizens parking in similar fashion face fines or wheel-clamping by civic authorities.

This contrast has fuelled public resentment, with residents pointing to what they see as selective enforcement. While the corporation penalises private vehicle owners for roadside parking, it has failed to ensure compliance by its own departments.

Policy discussions date back over a decade

The issue is not new. As early as 2013–14, the state government had instructed the municipal corporation to frame a comprehensive parking policy under provisions of the Gujarat Provincial Municipal Corporations (GPMC) Act and the Municipal Corporations (MC) Act. However, the standing committee at the time did not agree to adopt a uniform city-wide policy.

Tata Consultancy Services was subsequently tasked with preparing a report on a city parking policy. In parallel, the Gujarat Comprehensive Development Control Regulations already mandate minimum on-road parking on major roads and compulsory parking provisions in all new buildings.

Multi-level parking projects fail to gain traction

Despite these existing regulations, the corporation’s leadership at the time launched a series of multi-level parking projects in 2013 at locations such as Kankaria, Navrangpura, Sindhu Bhavan and Prahladnagar. These facilities, however, have seen limited public use.

Urban planners have repeatedly pointed out that without strict enforcement of on-street parking norms and rational pricing, multi-level facilities remain unattractive to motorists. The result has been continued congestion on arterial roads despite the availability of designated structures.

Illegal conversion of parking spaces

Adding to the problem is the large-scale conversion of designated parking areas into commercial shops across the city. This, officials acknowledge, has taken place due to prolonged negligence by the corporation’s estate department.

Although instructions have been issued in the past to remove such illegal constructions, enforcement has often stalled amid political pressure and interference. The corporation has faced criticism for failing to demolish or reclaim these spaces, further shrinking available parking stock.

Calls for stricter enforcement and inter-agency coordination

To ease traffic congestion, some officials and urban transport experts argue that indiscriminately parked vehicles should be seized with police assistance, rather than relying solely on fines. Past attempts in this direction have proven contentious. On one occasion, the confiscation of illegally parked luxury vehicles by a deputy municipal commissioner triggered significant controversy.

There have also been calls for closer coordination with the Regional Transport Office (RTO), particularly as multi-vehicle ownership rises in the city. With many households owning three or more vehicles, critics argue that authorities should verify the availability of parking space before permitting the registration of high-end cars. So far, the corporation has shown little inclination to pursue such measures.

Policy implementation remains the key test

While the High Court’s intervention has finally pushed the AMC to initiate steps towards implementing the long-pending parking policy, urban planners stress that sustained enforcement will determine its success. Without addressing internal compliance, illegal conversions and political interference, they warn, the policy risks remaining another document that exists only on paper.