The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has begun removing roadside vending structures obstructing traffic near Bhadra Plaza in the Lal Darwaja area, as the city prepares for increased customer movement during the Diwali shopping period. The operation has triggered opposition from Congress representatives, who have sought temporary trading space for poor vendors, while civic officials have cited a Supreme Court order and public access requirements.
The action was carried out by the Estate Department of the corporation’s Central Zone on Sunday. According to Deputy Municipal Commissioner Ramya Bhatt, vending on the carriageway is not permitted under the court’s directions, and the clearance operation is intended to keep access open for people visiting Bhadra market during the festival period.
The civic body deployed a special team comprising six inspectors, four encroachment-removal vehicles and 25 workers for the operation. Bhatt said the corporation would not allow illegal vending to resume on the road. The reported action focused on roadside stalls and vendors described by the civic authorities as obstructing traffic movement.
The operation drew Congress representatives from the Jamalpur and Khadia areas to the site. Vasim Thakor, the husband of Jamalpur ward Congress corporator Dr Naznin Thakor, alleged that similar markets operate across different zones of Ahmedabad but that the corporation had created a special team specifically to act against vendors at Bhadra. He demanded that poor traders be permitted to conduct business for 10 days during the Diwali festival and strongly opposed the removal drive.
Ahmedabad Mayor Hitesh Barot said lawful roadside vendors had been provided space near the Bhadra Kali temple because of the heavy movement of visitors in the area. He added that the Estate Department would continue to act according to the rules. Standing Committee Chairman Kamlesh Patel said vendors obstructing traffic on the road would be removed in accordance with the court’s directions and that the enforcement activity would continue.
Bhadra’s roadside market has previously faced disputes related to alleged illegal collections and unauthorised occupation of public space. The report also refers to allegations that some local individuals collect money from traders brought in from outside the area. The Estate Department has cited the need to prevent inconvenience to devotees visiting the Bhadra Kali temple, while earlier enforcement efforts were reportedly affected by inadequate coordination or assistance from Karanj police. The report says civic teams had faced attacks during previous operations.
The immediate dispute places two municipal responsibilities in direct conflict: keeping carriageways and pedestrian routes clear, and managing the livelihoods of vendors who depend on high-footfall festival markets. The corporation’s stated position is that enforcement will continue against vending that obstructs traffic, while the protesting representatives are seeking a defined temporary arrangement for affected traders. No such arrangement was announced in the report.
