Ahmedabad traffic police have announced extended night-time restrictions on heavy vehicles and additional deployment at key junctions to manage traffic during Navratri from October 11 to 20. Police personnel will remain deployed until 3am on the Sardar Patel Ring Road, Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway and other identified congestion points near major garba venues.
The plan is intended to manage the late-night movement of large crowds attending garba events across the city. Ahmedabad traffic police will work with the local police to regulate vehicles, prevent illegal parking and maintain traffic flow at junctions expected to experience higher volumes during the festival.
Ahmedabad traffic police Joint Commissioner Ashwin Chauhan told Divya Bhaskar that personnel would be stationed at all junctions on the Sardar Patel Ring Road and the SG Highway, as well as at other locations identified as likely congestion points. Police will also take action in areas where vehicles are parked along roads and obstruct movement.
Under the temporary arrangement, heavy vehicles will face restrictions until 2am during the Navratri period. The city’s existing restriction normally applies until 10pm, but from October 11 to October 20, vehicles including dumpers, trucks and large luxury buses will not be allowed to enter the city until after 2am. The extended restriction will apply to roads including the SP Ring Road and SG Highway.
Police deployment until 3am is planned at venues hosting large garba events, particularly those expected to attract prominent performers and substantial crowds. The locations identified for additional traffic management include the YMCA area, Karnavati Club, Ujala Circle, the road connecting YMCA to the SP Ring Road, the SP Ring Road, Ognaj Circle and Vaishnodevi Circle.
The SG Highway is expected to see significant traffic during the festival. A road closure linked to ongoing bridge work has added to the operational challenge in the corridor. According to the traffic police statement reported by Divya Bhaskar, the lower road between YMCA Club and Karnavati Club, which had been closed, is being completed on an urgent basis in coordination with the contractor.
The 1.5-kilometre road is expected to be completed within two days and opened for traffic on the first night of Navratri. Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot has also inspected the route, according to the report.
The measures place the city’s festival traffic plan around three operational priorities: keeping heavy commercial vehicles out during the peak late-night period, maintaining police presence at high-demand junctions and restoring an alternative road connection near the SG Highway before the celebrations begin. The traffic police have not announced any further route diversions or vehicle restrictions in the supplied report.
