In a significant move aimed at curbing urban chaos and enhancing civic planning, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has introduced a mandatory new guideline for all future road development projects within town planning schemes. The directive, issued via an official circular on Friday, stipulates that the planning for all underground utilities must be completed and positioned beneath pavements before any new road is dug up or paved.
Decoding the AMC's New Directive
The core instruction from the municipal body is clear and firm. For every temporary or newly opened road under a Town Planning (TP) scheme, authorities must first create a comprehensive plan for laying essential service lines. This includes future utilities such as drainage systems, water supply pipelines, stormwater drainage lines, and other critical service conduits. The AMC has mandated that these utilities should be placed maximally beneath the footpath area.
The circular provides an alternative for scenarios where footpath placement is not feasible. In such cases, proposals for paving TP roads must be submitted for approval with a design that allows utilities to be laid in the carriageway on the side closest to the building line, towards the footpath, within the road's designated right of way. This strategic shift aims to centralize and organize subterranean infrastructure from the outset.
Aim: Ending the Cycle of Road Digging
The primary motivation behind this proactive measure is to put an end to the perennial problem of roads being dug up repeatedly by different utility agencies. Citizens in Ahmedabad, like in many Indian cities, have long endured the inconvenience, traffic snarls, and safety hazards caused by uncoordinated digging work. By enforcing integrated planning at the inception stage of a road project, the AMC seeks to ensure that once a road is paved, it remains intact for its intended lifespan without disruptive excavations.
This forward-thinking approach is expected to yield multiple benefits:
- Reduced Public Nuisance: Minimizes frequent road closures and traffic diversions.
- Cost Efficiency: Saves significant public funds spent on repeated road restoration.
- Enhanced Road Longevity: Protects the structural integrity of newly constructed roads.
- Improved Safety: Creates a safer environment for pedestrians and motorists by eliminating unexpected trenches and uneven surfaces.
Implications for Urban Development in Ahmedabad
The circular, issued on Friday, marks a decisive step in institutionalizing better urban management practices. It places the onus on town planning authorities and developers to think holistically about infrastructure needs before commencing surface-level work. This policy aligns with broader goals of creating smarter, more resilient cities where infrastructure development is systematic and sustainable.
For residents of Ahmedabad, this could translate to smoother commutes and more aesthetically pleasing, uninterrupted roads in newly developed areas under TP schemes. The success of this mandate, however, will depend on strict enforcement and coordination among various civic departments and utility providers during the planning and approval stages.
By mandating that the "planning for paving temporary roads newly opened under TP schemes" must include this utility blueprint, the AMC is setting a new standard for urban development that other cities may soon look to emulate. It represents a shift from reactive problem-solving to proactive, integrated infrastructure planning.
