Ahmedabad is on the brink of a major urban transformation as the municipal corporation prepares to demolish 242 properties to pave way for a wider arterial road linking Old Vadaj Circle to the upcoming Naranpura Sports Complex. The project, which seeks to expand the stretch to 24.40 metres, has sparked both hope and anguish, with residents, businesses, and religious groups caught between modern infrastructure demands and the loss of established spaces.
According to civic officials, the widening plan is critical to strengthen connectivity to the new sports complex, a key infrastructure being readied for the city’s aspirations to host mega sporting events such as the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and potentially the Olympics in 2036. Urban planners argue that the project reflects Ahmedabad’s growth ambitions and underscores the city’s bid to upgrade its transport arteries to match global standards.
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However, the price of progress has ignited tensions on the ground. Of the 242 affected properties, 191 are homes, 24 are commercial units, seven are mixed-use developments, and 13 are religious structures. Even a long-standing charitable institution known for sheltering children will see its premises impacted. Despite objections filed by over 190 affected parties, the civic body dismissed the appeals, stating that the project was unavoidable in the larger public interest.
Officials confirmed that households with valid titles will be compensated and that alternative arrangements will be provided where possible. Yet, not all concerns have been addressed. A temple committee that sought relocation space was denied, with authorities citing the absence of such provisions under current planning norms. The decision has drawn criticism from community leaders, who say that social infrastructure is being sidelined in the rush for modernisation.
Urban experts highlight that while improved road networks will ease congestion, reduce travel time, and cut vehicular emissions, the displacement of hundreds of families raises concerns over inclusivity and equity. They emphasise that future city-building must balance sustainability with sensitivity to human impact, ensuring that eco-friendly and people-centric planning remains at the heart of development. The project is now awaiting final approval from the standing committee of the municipal corporation. Once cleared, demolition will begin, ushering in a new phase of connectivity that may redefine mobility in Ahmedabad, even as it reopens the debate on how Indian cities reconcile rapid growth with the lives it unsettles.
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Ahmedabad Faces Tough Choices As 242 Properties To Go For Road Widening
