AMC Plans ₹43 Crore Precinct Road from Mansi Circle to Himalaya Mall

Ahmedabad: The Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has initiated the process of developing an approximately 3-km stretch from Mansi Circle to Himalaya Mall in Bodakdev ward as a precinct road at an estimated cost of ₹43 crore. However, the proposal has raised concerns over a possible reduction in road width, encroachments and increased traffic congestion.

According to a proposal submitted to the AMC’s Road and Building Committee, the project will cover the stretch from Mansi Circle to Himalaya Mall via Vastrapur Lake, Shahid Chowk and Sanjeevani Hospital. The civic body has proposed awarding the contract to Devers Construction at a rate 18.69% above the estimated cost.

The proposed precinct road design includes footpaths and designated parking areas, raising concerns that the space available for vehicular movement could be reduced. The resulting reduction in the usable carriageway could worsen congestion on the busy stretch, particularly during peak hours.

The concerns stem partly from an earlier precinct road project near Law Garden, where the allocation of road space for footpaths and parking reportedly left insufficient room for two buses to pass each other comfortably.

Law Garden project faced traffic problems

The AMC had earlier planned to develop seven precinct roads in the area surrounding Law Garden. However, the precinct road design on the stretch leading towards Sardar Patel Bhavan and connecting to CG Road reportedly resulted in more than half of the available road space being occupied by footpaths and parking areas.

The resulting reduction in the carriageway left inadequate space for the smooth movement of two buses travelling in opposite directions, triggering traffic problems. The issue prompted the civic body’s then office-bearers to intervene and halt the roadwork midway.

The earlier experience has renewed concerns over the proposed Mansi Circle–Himalaya Mall project, with questions arising over whether the planned pedestrian-friendly infrastructure could come at the cost of road capacity and smooth traffic movement. DeshGujarat