Ahmedabad is moving towards a citywide framework for road design as preparations for major international sporting events accelerate, with the municipal administration approving plans to develop a comprehensive street design policy for future road construction. The initiative is intended to create a consistent approach to urban streets while supporting long-term mobility, accessibility and infrastructure expansion ahead of the proposed 2030 Commonwealth Games and the city’s wider aspirations for hosting global sporting events.
The proposed policy will establish standardised design principles for new roads based on the available right of way, enabling engineers and planners to apply uniform specifications across different parts of the city. Rather than focusing solely on road construction, the framework is expected to guide the allocation of space for transport infrastructure, pedestrian movement, utilities, landscaping and other essential urban functions. Urban planning experts note that standardised street design has become increasingly important for rapidly growing cities where fragmented road development can lead to inconsistent mobility outcomes, safety concerns and higher long-term maintenance costs. A comprehensive policy can improve coordination between transport planning, land use and public infrastructure while creating more predictable urban streetscapes. The municipal authority has approved the appointment of a specialist planning consultant to prepare a toolkit that will support implementation of the new standards. The framework is expected to assist engineers and policymakers in designing future road projects using consistent technical parameters while accommodating varying street widths and urban contexts.
The Ahmedabad Street Standard Policy is being introduced alongside several large transport infrastructure projects already planned across the city. These include the development of major arterial roads, iconic urban corridors and strategic north-south and east-west links intended to improve connectivity between expanding residential, commercial and institutional districts. However, the scale of the proposed road expansion also presents significant urban planning challenges. Thousands of properties are expected to be affected by planned road widening and new alignments, making transparent land acquisition, fair rehabilitation and stakeholder engagement important considerations during implementation. Urban development specialists emphasise that infrastructure expansion must balance mobility improvements with social equity and minimise disruption to existing communities.
Experts also suggest that modern street standards should extend beyond vehicle movement by incorporating universal accessibility, cycling infrastructure, shaded pedestrian pathways, efficient stormwater management and climate-resilient landscaping. Such elements contribute to safer public spaces while supporting lower-carbon urban mobility and improving resilience against increasingly frequent extreme weather events. As Ahmedabad prepares for potential international sporting commitments, the Ahmedabad Street Standard Policy could become a foundational planning tool shaping the city’s transport network for decades. Its long-term success will depend not only on engineering consistency but also on its ability to create streets that are inclusive, sustainable and capable of serving residents long after major sporting events conclude.
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