Ahmedabad Traffic Study Exposes AMC Lapses in Planning
Ahmedabad’s worsening traffic congestion has come under scrutiny as a study commissioned by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) itself has highlighted severe shortcomings in the city’s traffic management system. Conducted to assess congestion at key junctions, the report not only reveals inadequate signal infrastructure but also attributes the problem to the civic body’s own inefficiencies. The study examined Udgam Circle in Thaltej, Zaveri Circle on Chhanalal Joshi Road, and the Delhi Darwaza junction—each facing distinct yet interconnected issues ranging from the absence of traffic signals to faulty timers and encroachments. The findings were recently presented to the municipal commissioner, underlining the urgent need for corrective action. While AMC has ambitious plans to install the Adaptive Traffic Control System (ATCS) at 400 junctions, the current state of affairs raises questions about the corporation’s ability to implement an efficient urban mobility strategy.
Traffic congestion at these junctions is exacerbated by poor planning and infrastructure failures. At Udgam Circle, the absence of traffic signals, coupled with increased vehicle movement during school hours, has made traffic management a daily challenge, requiring additional personnel for regulation. Zaveri Circle suffers from misconfigured signal timers, leading to irregular traffic flow and delays, especially for vehicles moving towards SG Highway. The Delhi Darwaza junction faces visibility issues due to missing or poorly positioned traffic signals, forcing vehicles to halt beyond the designated stop line. Heritage structures and unregulated encroachments further restrict movement, contributing to prolonged congestion. Beyond these hotspots, the study also uncovered larger systemic failures, such as non-functional signals at Drive-In Road, open traffic controller boxes at Shivranjani Crossroads, and disproportionate time allocations at Helmet Circle for BRTS buses, which inadvertently obstruct other lanes.
From a sustainability standpoint, the persistent traffic congestion and signal mismanagement highlight deeper inefficiencies in Ahmedabad’s urban planning. Unregulated vehicular movement and prolonged wait times contribute significantly to increased fuel consumption and carbon emissions. According to transport studies, inefficient traffic systems in urban centres can lead to a 30% rise in vehicular emissions due to unnecessary idling and frequent acceleration-deceleration cycles. The proposed ATCS, equipped with CCTV cameras and sensors to dynamically adjust signal timings, offers a potential solution. However, its success depends on rigorous implementation and real-time data monitoring. Additionally, the city must prioritise pedestrian-friendly infrastructure and last-mile connectivity to encourage sustainable mobility options, reducing the overreliance on private vehicles.
As AMC moves forward with its ATCS initiative, it faces the crucial task of not only upgrading traffic signals but also addressing the foundational urban issues that have led to the current crisis. The appointment of a consultant, with a budget of ₹1.80 crore to oversee the project from tendering to implementation, reflects an effort towards modernising Ahmedabad’s transport network. However, unless accompanied by structural reforms, strict enforcement against encroachments, and improved road planning, the system may struggle to achieve its intended impact. As Ahmedabad aspires to be a model smart city, its approach to traffic management will serve as a critical test of its urban governance capabilities, determining whether the city can truly transform into a sustainable and efficient metropolitan hub.
