Ahmedabad civic body completes widening for VIP roadshow ahead of VGGS

11 Jan 2024 CW Team

Deeming it an 'iconic' road, the AMC successfully concluded the project within a 45-day timeframe, marking a milestone as the first road in the city developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) with the Rajhans Group, incurring an estimated cost of Rs 550 million, as revealed by AMC officials. The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Institute of Technology, Surat, played a crucial role in the redesigning process, incorporating urban infrastructure and planning.

The project faced significant challenges, including the removal of encroachments to achieve a road width of 60 meters, relocation of underground utilities such as electricity, gas, and communication cables, and the installation of new drinking water lines and drainage and stormwater networks. The estate team successfully cleared 86 commercial establishments, 112 residential buildings, and 13 temples along the entire stretch, according to AMC Deputy Municipal Commissioner C R Kharsan.

The approximately 2-kilometer stretch from the airport circle to Indira Bridge circle was characterised by chaos, with unpaved and encroached sections. AMC Deputy Municipal Commissioner C R Kharsan explained that the decision to widen the road from 40 meters to 60 meters was made during frequent visits by Municipal Commissioner M Thennarasan, transforming it into an iconic entry point for Ahmedabad city.

The previously 40-meter-wide road under town planning has now been redeveloped to a full width of 60 meters, featuring a three-lane bituminous road on each side, totaling 9.90 meters on either side. Additionally, a central verge with a width of 1.5 meters, adorned with natural stone cladding, plantation, and street lights, has been created. The multifunction zone on both sides of the road includes provisions for parking, kiosks, front-lit hoardings, plantations, gantries, sculptures, fountains, and bus stops.

Despite these enhancements, concerns have been raised by residents regarding pedestrian safety on the upgraded road. Kharsan addressed these concerns, stating that a 7-meter-wide service road with a variable footpath, maintaining a minimum width of 3 meters, has been incorporated along the main road for pedestrian use.

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has recently completed the widening and redesigning of the airport circle to Indira Bridge circle road, primarily utilised for VIP movements from the city to Gandhinagar. This enhancement was carried out in preparation for the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (VGGS). The revamped stretch is anticipated to host the roadshow featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the chief guest for VGGS. Deeming it an 'iconic' road, the AMC successfully concluded the project within a 45-day timeframe, marking a milestone as the first road in the city developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) with the Rajhans Group, incurring an estimated cost of Rs 550 million, as revealed by AMC officials. The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Institute of Technology, Surat, played a crucial role in the redesigning process, incorporating urban infrastructure and planning. The project faced significant challenges, including the removal of encroachments to achieve a road width of 60 meters, relocation of underground utilities such as electricity, gas, and communication cables, and the installation of new drinking water lines and drainage and stormwater networks. The estate team successfully cleared 86 commercial establishments, 112 residential buildings, and 13 temples along the entire stretch, according to AMC Deputy Municipal Commissioner C R Kharsan. The approximately 2-kilometer stretch from the airport circle to Indira Bridge circle was characterised by chaos, with unpaved and encroached sections. AMC Deputy Municipal Commissioner C R Kharsan explained that the decision to widen the road from 40 meters to 60 meters was made during frequent visits by Municipal Commissioner M Thennarasan, transforming it into an iconic entry point for Ahmedabad city. The previously 40-meter-wide road under town planning has now been redeveloped to a full width of 60 meters, featuring a three-lane bituminous road on each side, totaling 9.90 meters on either side. Additionally, a central verge with a width of 1.5 meters, adorned with natural stone cladding, plantation, and street lights, has been created. The multifunction zone on both sides of the road includes provisions for parking, kiosks, front-lit hoardings, plantations, gantries, sculptures, fountains, and bus stops. Despite these enhancements, concerns have been raised by residents regarding pedestrian safety on the upgraded road. Kharsan addressed these concerns, stating that a 7-meter-wide service road with a variable footpath, maintaining a minimum width of 3 meters, has been incorporated along the main road for pedestrian use.