Ahmedabad traffic management came under scrutiny at a police coordination meeting where legislators raised concerns over illegal parking, road planning, signal placement and the use of the traffic police’s ‘capsule system’ at intersections. The meeting, chaired by Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot, also covered drug sales, illegal liquor outlets, CCTV expansion and festival security arrangements, according to a report by Divya Bhaskar.
Members of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress presented location-specific complaints during the meeting. Imran Khedawala, MLA for Jamalpur-Khadia, said traffic police should be involved from the planning stage whenever an overbridge is designed so that traffic movement is considered alongside the civil works. Legislators also sought action against liquor outlets operating in parts of the eastern and western areas of the city.
Traffic congestion and illegal parking were raised for Dariyapur, Shahpur, Shankar Bhuvan and Delhi Darwaja. Dariyapur MLA Kaushik Jain also sought the removal of abandoned vehicles and roadside stalls near the Mahakali temple at Dudheswar, where devotees park or travel during visits. The meeting also included a request to ensure that non-vegetarian shops follow the rule requiring products to be covered during festivals.
The report said Dinesh Kushwaha, MLA for Bapunagar, raised the issue of illegal sales of Corex cough syrup near Chartoda cemetery. Police reportedly assured the meeting that action could extend to cancellation of the distributor’s licence. Amraiwadi MLA Dr Hasmukh Patel sought traffic points at Ramrajyanagar and Rabari Colony, along with CCTV cameras on Khari Cut Canal Road.
Security arrangements for the Diwali period were also discussed. Kanchanben Radadia, MLA for Thakkarbapanagar, requested increased patrolling on Sardar Chowk and GD Road to prevent theft and robbery. Naroda MLA Dr Payal Kukrani sought a survey of the capsule system, additional security at Kubernagar Market and CCTV cameras at the city’s 13 entry points under the Vishwas project.
The capsule system, created by closing or narrowing sections around an intersection with dividers to organise vehicle movement, faced objections from legislators who said it may not be suitable for every location. The meeting therefore placed the focus on site-specific traffic planning rather than applying one arrangement uniformly across the city. The report did not provide a list of locations where the system would be changed or removed.
Jitubhai Patel, MLA for Naranpura, sought a traffic signal beneath the Wadaj flyover to prevent congestion. Officials also said that steps were being taken to obtain Gujarat Housing Board land to separate the Naranpura and Wadaj police stations, which currently operate from the same building.
Drug and liquor sales in areas including Vastrapur and around Gujarat University were also raised during the meeting. Police officials said strict action was being taken against such activities. The meeting’s other requests included improved traffic arrangements, expanded surveillance, enforcement against illegal parking and stronger patrolling during the festival period.
