Ahmedabad: The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has decided to allocate 36 additional spaces at the Law Garden Happy Street food market, drawing mixed reactions from traders and residents. Each space will be rented at a base rate of Rs 15,000 per month, with the allotment process expected to generate revenue running into crores.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the Municipal Estate Committee, chaired by Devangbhai Dani. Deputy Commissioner of the Estate Department announced that earlier, 36 vendors were allotted ten-by-ten-foot stalls across nine blocks from Law Garden Circle to NCC Circle. With the new approval, another 36 traders will be accommodated in phases.

Twelve traders from the old Law Garden food market had filed a petition in the Gujarat High Court seeking space in the new setup. Responding to this, the Estate Department has agreed to allot them stalls at the same Rs 15,000 monthly fee. If bids exceed this amount in subsequent years, the license fee will be adjusted accordingly.

The plan includes 24 new spaces to be auctioned for three-year terms, after which a two-year extension will be considered. The license fee will also rise by five percent annually.

However, concerns remain about traffic congestion and parking. When asked, AMC officials claimed that sufficient parking exists near the stalls and along the NCC Circle stretch leading to the Deputy Commissioner’s bungalow. On the ground, however, the footpaths are already clogged with rickshaws, tempo vans, and private vehicles, leaving little room for new visitors.

Residents and traders fear that once the new stalls begin operations, the Law Garden area could face severe parking and traffic management issues, adding to the challenges during festive seasons when the Chaniya Choli market draws heavy crowds.