Ahmedabad Residents Stage Night Protest Over Controversial Median Closure
Hundreds of residents from the New Tragad and Chandkheda areas of Ahmedabad took to the streets on Saturday night, staging a major protest on the busy Sardar Patel Ring Road. The demonstration was organized to demand the immediate reopening of a crucial median gap located near Hotel Hillock, which had recently been barricaded by local authorities.
Traffic Gridlock and Public Outcry
The protest led to a significant disruption, with participants blocking the road and triggering a massive traffic jam that stretched for over half a kilometre. The congestion severely affected the stretch between Vaishnodevi Circle and Zundal Road, bringing vehicular movement to a near standstill for an extended period.
This public outcry follows a signature campaign launched by residents on February 8, where they formally expressed their opposition to the closure of the intersection. Protesters argue that the barricading has forced motorists to take an inconvenient 4-kilometre detour, drastically increasing commute times and exacerbating existing traffic congestion in the area.
Dangerous Alternatives and Safety Concerns
In response to the closure, many commuters have resorted to using a narrow culvert located approximately 850 metres away from the original gap. This alternative passage allows only one vehicle to pass at a time, creating frequent bottlenecks and raising serious safety concerns among local residents.
Protesters emphasized that this makeshift solution has led to chaotic traffic conditions and increased the risk of accidents. When traffic police arrived at the scene on Saturday night to clear the jam and restore order, demonstrators initially refused to cooperate, highlighting the depth of their frustration with the current situation.
Political Involvement and Planning Controversy
The decision to close the median gap originated from a coordination meeting where BJP Rajya Sabha member Narhari Amin raised concerns about persistent traffic congestion at that specific location. Following his intervention, authorities moved forward with sealing the intersection.
However, residents contend that this action contradicts the original traffic-circle plan for the area, which they believe clearly implied that an opening was intended to facilitate smoother traffic flow. They argue that the closure not only inconveniences daily commuters but also represents a deviation from the established urban planning framework designed to manage Ahmedabad's growing traffic challenges.
The protest underscores ongoing tensions between urban development initiatives and community needs, with residents calling for a reconsideration of the closure to restore accessibility and reduce congestion in their neighbourhoods.
