Ahmedabad legislators have challenged the traffic police’s capsule system and called for better coordination between road-project planners and traffic authorities, while also raising illegal parking, CCTV coverage, drug sales, liquor outlets and festival security at a coordination meeting chaired by Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot on November 1.
The meeting brought together Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress legislators, a Member of Parliament and senior police officials to discuss traffic and law-and-order concerns across several parts of the city. The submissions covered both everyday road management and wider policing issues affecting residential, commercial and heritage areas.
Jamalpur-Khadia MLA Imran Khedawala said traffic police should be involved whenever an overbridge is planned so that traffic movement is incorporated into the project design. The representation links a recurring operational issue in Ahmedabad—traffic management after major road infrastructure is built—to the planning stage of such projects.
Dariapur MLA Kaushik Jain raised illegal parking and traffic problems in Dariapur, Shahpur, Shankar Bhuvan and Delhi Darwaja. He also sought the removal of abandoned vehicles, roadside stalls and other obstructions near Mahakali Chali in Dudheshwar, where devotees visit a temple. He further asked authorities to enforce the rule requiring non-vegetarian shops to cover their displays during festivals.
The meeting also addressed alleged illegal sales of intoxicating substances. Bapunagar MLA Dinesh Kushwaha raised the reported sale of Corex cough syrup near Chartoda cemetery. Police assured the meeting that action could extend to cancellation of the distributor’s licence. Representations were also made about alleged drug and liquor sales in areas including Vastrapur and around Gujarat University. Police said strict action was being taken against such activity.
Amraiwadi MLA Dr Hasmukh Patel sought traffic points in Ramrajyanagar and Rabari Colony and CCTV cameras along Kharicut Canal Road. Naroda MLA Dr Payal Kukrani asked for a survey of the capsule system, security arrangements at Kubernagar Market and CCTV cameras at the city’s 13 entry points under the Vishwas project.
The capsule system, which involves closing a divider at an intersection to regulate movement, was opposed by legislators who said it was not suitable for every location. Their objection places the focus on whether a uniform traffic intervention can work across neighbourhoods with different road widths, traffic patterns and roadside activity. The meeting did not announce a citywide change to the system, but included a request for a location-wise survey.
Thakkarbapanagar MLA Kanchanben Radadiya sought increased patrolling near Sardar Chowk and G.D. Road during Diwali to prevent theft and robbery. Naranpura MLA Jitubhai Patel requested a signal below the Wadaj overbridge to reduce congestion and was informed that work was under way to secure Gujarat Housing Board land for a separate Naranpura police station. Naranpura and Wadaj police stations currently operate from the same building, according to officials cited in the report.
The meeting’s agenda shows that Ahmedabad’s traffic concerns are being handled alongside policing, road design, parking enforcement and surveillance requests. The immediate next steps identified in the meeting include a survey of the capsule system, consideration of traffic signals and points, action against the reported cough-syrup distribution network, increased festival patrolling and further CCTV planning.
