Ahmedabad: Barely a month after halting six road redesign projects for want of a citywide footpath policy, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has approved a fresh set of projects worth Rs 334.38 crore across 12 stretches in western Ahmedabad. The decision, taken as part of a larger Rs 589-crore infrastructure package, was cleared as the elected wing completed its five-year term.On March 5, the AMC standing committee approved road projects worth a total of Rs 589 crore. This included Rs 255 crore for the Narol Circle–Naroda Patiya corridor and Rs 334.38 crore for 12 roads grouped under Thematic Precinct Phase-1. These corridors fall within metro, sports and education precincts and are intended to support infrastructure around transit nodes, sports venues and academic hubs. The redesign focuses on wider footpaths, service lanes, green buffers and shared spaces but raises concerns about reduced space for vehicles, they added.The approvals come weeks after former standing committee chairman Devang Dani intervened in a similar project. On Jan 21, Dani inspected a redesigned connector between CG Road and Mithakhali Circle and ordered work to stop. The 18-m right-of-way design had allocated 9m to footpaths and utilities, leaving 9m for vehicle movement. He subsequently extended the halt to six roads in the Law Garden-Mithakhali area, part of a Rs 100-crore package. “He directed the municipal commissioner to frame and approve a footpath policy before green-lighting any new works,” says a senior AMC official.Despite the policy still being awaited, the committee has now cleared the 12 new road projects. The AMC’s initial estimate for the works was Rs 294.14 crore, but the tenders approved amount to Rs 334.38 crore. One of the most significant changes will be on University Road. The road is currently 36m wide, with a 29-m carriageway and 5-m footpaths on both sides. Under the redesign, the carriageway will be reduced to 21m, while footpaths will expand to 7m along with additional shared public spaces, seating areas and organised auto stands.Motorists and traders in some areas have expressed concern that narrower carriageways could worsen peak-hour congestion. AMC officials, however, say the redesigned corridors are expected to improve traffic flow through clearer kerb layouts, better pedestrian infrastructure and service lanes. The new plans do not include on-street parking.
