Ahmedabad’s traffic management plan came under scrutiny at a coordination meeting chaired by Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot, where legislators raised concerns about the so-called capsule system, illegal parking, traffic planning around flyovers and policing in several parts of the city. The meeting also covered alleged drug sales, liquor outlets and public safety arrangements ahead of the Diwali festival.
The discussions brought together Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress legislators, a Member of Parliament and senior police officers. The issues raised covered both daily mobility problems and law-and-order concerns in established neighbourhoods, market areas and emerging residential zones.
Jamalpur-Khadia MLA Imran Khedawala said traffic police should be involved from the planning stage whenever a flyover is proposed. He said coordination between project planners and traffic authorities was necessary so that bridge construction did not create additional bottlenecks or leave traffic arrangements incomplete. Legislators also asked the police to act against alleged liquor outlets operating in parts of the eastern and western areas of Ahmedabad.
Dariapur MLA Kaushik Jain raised illegal parking and congestion in Dariapur, Shahpur, Shankar Bhuvan and the Delhi Darwaja area. He also sought the removal of abandoned vehicles and roadside stalls near the Mahakali temple at Dudheshwar, where visitors reportedly face obstructions on the road. The meeting also included a request to enforce the rule requiring non-vegetarian shops to cover their displays during festivals.
Bapunagar MLA Dinesh Kushwaha raised the alleged sale of Corex cough syrup near the Chartoda cemetery. The police, according to the report, assured him that action could extend to cancellation of the distributor’s licence. The report did not provide details of any licence cancellation or enforcement action completed after the meeting.
Traffic signals, CCTV coverage and police deployment were among the other demands. Amraiwadi MLA Dr Hasmukh Patel sought traffic points in Ramrajyanagar and Rabari Colony and CCTV cameras along Kharikat Canal Road. Thakkarbapanagar MLA Kanchanben Radadiya requested increased patrolling around Sardar Chowk and G.D. Road during Diwali to prevent theft and robbery.
Naroda MLA Dr Payal Kukrani sought a survey of the capsule system, security arrangements at Kubernagar Market and CCTV cameras at the city’s 13 entry points under the Vishwas project. Naranpura MLA Jitubhai Patel requested a traffic signal below the Wadaj flyover and opposed the use of the capsule system at every junction, saying the arrangement was not suitable everywhere.
The capsule system, as described in the report, involves closing a divider at a junction to create a controlled traffic movement pattern. The legislators’ objections indicate that the system’s suitability may vary by junction, depending on road geometry, traffic volumes, pedestrian movement and access to nearby properties. No citywide assessment or performance data was provided in the report.
The meeting also addressed alleged drug and liquor sales in areas including Vastrapur and around Gujarat University. Police officials said strict action was being taken against such activity. The report did not specify the number of cases, seizures, arrests or locations where enforcement had already taken place.
Officials also said a process was under way to obtain Gujarat Housing Board land to separate the Naranpura and Wadaj police stations, which currently operate from the same building. The next steps identified in the meeting were a survey of the capsule system, consideration of additional traffic points and signals, increased patrolling, CCTV-related action and further police measures on the complaints raised by legislators.
