Ahmedabad Olympic Vision Reshapes Shela Town Planning Scheme
Ahmedabad Olympic vision is redrawing the city’s urban fabric, with Shela’s Town Planning Scheme 1 undergoing major revisions to align with upcoming sports infrastructure in the Manipur-Godhavi area. Wider roads, dedicated parking, and green buffers are now central to the blueprint as the city prepares for its ambitious bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympic Games.
At the heart of this transformation lies the South West Ahmedabad Sports Arena (SWASA), a project under development in Manipur-Godhavi, forming part of the strategic Olympic-ready network. Officials confirmed that Shela, sharing a boundary with the sports complex zone, has seen its planning scheme restructured to ensure continuity in mobility, access, and sustainability.
As part of the revisions, nearly 60,000 square metres of additional land has been earmarked for road networks in Shela, taking the total allocation to 4.55 lakh square metres. In a significant shift, parking provisions — previously absent in the plan — have been introduced, covering 32,617 square metres. Urban planners highlight that these changes are designed to accommodate large-scale visitor inflow while minimising traffic disruption during international sporting events. In keeping with sustainable design practices, 4,079 square metres of land have also been reserved for an urban forest, signalling a conscious attempt to balance infrastructure with environmental needs. Senior officials said the integration of green spaces was not an afterthought but a deliberate step towards building climate-resilient and citizen-friendly urban nodes.
The revisions in Shela are unlikely to remain isolated. Planning authorities indicated that adjoining schemes in Ghuma and Makarba may also undergo changes to provide seamless connectivity and infrastructure harmony. These areas, alongside Motera and Naranpura, form part of a 20-kilometre strategic zone mapped around the Sardar Patel Sports Enclave, a venue that will anchor much of Ahmedabad’s Olympic pitch. Urban experts suggest that these moves reflect more than just preparation for global events. They underline a long-term approach to modernising Ahmedabad’s mobility corridors, enhancing last-mile connectivity, and reimagining how citizens interact with public spaces. Wide roads are expected to ease congestion not only during mega events but also in daily commuting, while structured parking facilities could reduce the chronic problem of roadside encroachment.
For a city aspiring to stand on the world stage, balancing rapid development with ecological responsibility remains a challenge. By embedding green infrastructure and expanding road capacity in tandem, Ahmedabad is attempting to present itself as a model of sustainable urban growth. While residents may initially grapple with the disruptions of reallocation and construction, civic experts believe the long-term benefits of integrated transport, enhanced mobility, and improved urban liveability could transform the city into a more equitable and resilient space, extending far beyond the Games themselves.
