Ahmedabad traffic diversion measures will remain in force from 4 pm today as a BJP padayatra moves from Navavadaj’s Vyaswadi crossroads towards Subhash Bridge, with the route expected to affect vehicles travelling between Akhbarnagar Circle, Ranip and the Regional Transport Office. A separate BJP march is also scheduled in Rajkot.
According to a report by Divya Bhaskar, the Ahmedabad march will begin near the statue of Lord Parshuram at Vyaswadi crossroads in Navavadaj and cover approximately 1 to 1.5 kilometres before concluding at Subhash Bridge. Union minister and former BJP national president JP Nadda, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi and other party leaders are expected to participate.
The report said the march is being organised as part of the BJP’s “Loktantra Bachavo, Arajakta Hatao Abhiyan”. The party has described the campaign as an effort to counter what it calls misleading information and disorder being spread by the Congress and opposition parties over the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR, issue, and to strengthen public confidence in democratic and constitutional institutions.
For commuters, the key restriction will apply to both sides of the road from Akhbarnagar Circle through Ranip D-Mart to the RTO. The stretch will remain closed to vehicles from 4 pm until the padayatra is completed, according to the report. The closure is likely to affect traffic moving between northern Ahmedabad neighbourhoods and the Sabarmati-Chandkheda side of the city.
Vehicles travelling from Akhbarnagar Circle towards Sabarmati and Chandkheda have been advised to use the route via Ladli showroom, Shrinathnagar, Saurabh School and Ranip. From there, commuters can proceed towards Sabarmati and Chandkheda through Central Jail, the report said.
Vehicles travelling from the RTO towards Akhbarnagar will be diverted through Batrisibhai Bhavan, the Heritage Road near Gandhi Ashram, Wadaj Circle and Bhimjipura Circle before reaching Akhbarnagar. The diversion is intended to keep traffic away from the march route while the procession is under way.
The participating Ahmedabad leaders listed in the report include BJP state general secretary Ajay Brahmbhatt, MP Dinesh Makwana, city president Prerak Shah, Mayor Hitesh Barot, elected representatives and party office-bearers. A large number of youth-wing members and other party workers are also expected to attend.
In Rajkot, the padayatra will begin near the statue of Sardar Patel at Bahumali Bhavan. BJP state in-charge Tarun Chugh, state president Jagdish Vishwakarma, co-in-charge Ajay Mahawar and state general secretary Aniruddh Dave are expected to participate along with party workers. The supplied report does not specify separate road-closure timings or diversion routes for Rajkot.
The Ahmedabad restrictions will remain in place until the procession ends. Commuters using the Akhbarnagar-Ranip-RTO corridor have been advised to account for the closure and follow the alternate routes during the evening movement.
