Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is set to develop a series of pedestrian overpasses on key traffic corridors using a pioneering public-private partnership model, leveraging advertising rights to avoid burdening civic coffers.
The AMC plans to install foot overbridges on busy stretches—such as SG Road near NirmaUniversity and Gota Flyover—by inviting proposals and designs from contractors in return for granting them exclusive advertising space on the structures. The initiative, under guidance from the AMC Standing Committee, aims to improve pedestrian safety, reduce jaywalking, and enhance the cityscape with no direct cost to taxpayers. An AMC official explained that traffic surveys will identify the most hazardous crossings before design consultations begin. “Contractors will be responsible for construction, durability, and maintenance,” said the official, emphasising that in exchange they will secure long-term advertising rights, allowing the municipal body to save on capital expenditure while ensuring workplace safety.
Beyond convenience and safety, the PPP model supports eco-friendly urban mobility by encouraging walking, reducing reliance on short car trips, and increasing the visibility of walking as a preferred mode—helping to cut emissions and support Ahmedabad’s climate goals. Infrastructure experts consulted for this report noted that well-lit, architecturally sound foot overbridges can also double as public art spaces and urban landmarks. AMC intends the first phase locations to include pedestrian-critical areas near Binori Hotel in Thaltej, Grand BhagwatiHotel, RajpathClub, Krishnanagar Junction, and VastrapurLake, addressing both residential and recreational footfall concerns. Each bridge site will be evaluated for pedestrian density and traffic velocity before design approval, ensuring investments match need and anticipated safety gains.
Experts welcomed the initiative, stating that mixed-use public infrastructure can deliver both economic returns and public value. “By allowing advertising space, AMC not only recovers costs but also creates a revenue model tied to public realm improvements,” argued an urban planning specialist involved in road safety projects. Similarly, a mobility consultant noted that such bridges, if designed with universal access features—ramps, tactile pathways, lifts—can advance gender-neutral and equitable use, benefiting senior citizens, women, and people with disabilities, thereby aligning with inclusive city mandates.
However, observers cautioned that success depends on effective oversight. “Contractors must meet quality metrics and timelines,” said a civic infrastructure expert. “AMC must ensure frequent inspections and community feedback loops to maintain structural health and user satisfaction.” In successful PPP models elsewhere, municipal bodies retain inspection rights and can revoke advertising privileges if maintenance fails. AMC officials have affirmed that contracts will include robust performance clauses covering structural integrity, lighting, cleaning, and upkeep. The advertising rights will be granted via timed agreements, linked to annual maintenance audits and feedback from pedestrians and adjacent businesses.
If executed well, the initiative could revolutionise Ahmedabad’s footpath and crossing infrastructure, transforming it into a safer, more walkable city. By marrying commercial interests with pedestrian mobility, AMC aims to model a sustainable approach to civic infrastructure financing—minimising carbon output and increasing urban dignity. Completion of bridge construction could take upwards of 18 months after approvals, with criteria-based funding releasing over successive phases. The first interim progress report is likely early next year, benchmarking delivery time, usage data, advertising revenue, and safety impact.
This innovative financing approach in Gujarat’s largest city could inspire similar schemes across India. Should AMC pilot an effective model, other municipal corporations—from Pune to Kochi—may replicate it to deliver safer, zero-carbon urban mobility through public-private collaborations. Ultimately, the success of this PPP auction hinges not just on engineering excellence but on public interface—with good lighting, signage, and cleanliness. For residents, the resultant foot overbridges could reduce accidents and wait times, providing safer, smoother pedestrian flows while making advertising a net positive rather than visual noise.
Ahmedabad is calling on private partners to help build these vital links, reflecting a broader trend of citizens-first infrastructure shaped through strategic private partnerships—not borrowing public funds,, but reclaiming civic spaces and climate accords together.
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