Ahmedabad’s Bhadra Plaza is facing renewed traffic disruption as unauthorised roadside vendors have reportedly returned outside the railings installed by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) to keep hawkers off the road and prevent congestion.
The issue has resurfaced ahead of Diwali, when the Lal Darwaja area typically sees increased pedestrian and commercial activity. A report by Divya Bhaskar said vendors were seen occupying parts of the road and standing near a temple at Bhadra Plaza, affecting the movement of vehicles and contributing to traffic jams.
The AMC had installed railings around the plaza after making arrangements for legally permitted vendors to operate within a designated area. The measures were intended to keep traders off the carriageway and comply with directions associated with the regulation of street vending. The railings were also meant to preserve space for pedestrians and maintain vehicle movement around the busy public area.
According to the report, authorised vendors were continuing to operate inside the railing-enclosed zone, while some other vendors had set up outside it. The report said the AMC’s central zone estate department did not remove the roadside vendors despite the presence of an encroachment-removal vehicle. It also questioned the effectiveness of the railings and the enforcement arrangements put in place at the plaza.
The municipal corporation has reportedly deployed an enforcement team and a special State Reserve Police presence for Bhadra Plaza. However, the report said unauthorised vending continued even though municipal vehicles were stationed in the area. The plaza is also located opposite Karanj police station, raising questions about coordination between the civic estate department and the police during periods of heavier footfall.
Local sources cited by Divya Bhaskar alleged that two individuals bring unauthorised vendors to the area and collect between ₹100 and ₹200 from them each day for allowing them to conduct business. The report also referred to discussions alleging possible collusion involving some local individuals and police personnel. These allegations were not independently established in the supplied report and no official response from the AMC or police was cited.
Bhadra Plaza has previously been the subject of efforts to remove unauthorised vending and assign space to permitted traders. The report said the civic administration and former municipal office-bearers had pursued legal action to clear illegal encroachments before the designated vending arrangement and railings were introduced.
The immediate challenge is now enforcement: maintaining the distinction between permitted vending inside the designated area and unauthorised occupation of the road outside it. With Diwali approaching, the AMC’s estate department and the police will need to coordinate action to keep the carriageway clear and prevent further traffic disruption at Bhadra Plaza.
