Ahmedabad: It is learnt that Defense ministry has agreed to divert cantonment land in Ahmedabad close to its firing range for construction of wide public road connecting to proposed river bridge in Hansol area just opposite the international airport.

Proposed road will connect airport circle to Acher(part of Sabarmati/Motera) area through a new river bridge. At present there’s roads on both sides of river but they are narrow. On cantonment side, the road which starts from Taj hotel is closed for public utility by Army.

Army’s nod to this project is conditional. Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation(AMC) will get 2300.69 square meter land from Ministry of Defense for 24 meter road. In exchange to this, AMC will transfer 2759.64 square meter land to Army. This land is for ‘sell for residence’ purpose. AMC will spend around Rs 22 crore for construction of underpass for Army’s movement, security wall and other works. The AMC standing committee meeting will take decision in this regard and hand over powers pertaining to this proposal to Municipal Commissioner.

Town Planning(TP) road connecting Airport circle to Sabarmati river was finalized in year 2006. However in 2011, Army closed the road for public. There are some residences also in this area. Both Army and Residents were opposing new TP scheme that involves a road and connecting river bridge.

It should be mentioned here that at present East river drive of Sabarmati river front is upto Shahibagu Dafnala. It is learnt that Army is positive for construction of further stretch of riverfront upto Indira bridge in Hansol. If this happens, east river drive of Sabarmati river front will be able to connect proposed road just opposite the international airport.

DeshGujarat