The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), in coordination with the city traffic police, has initiated a comprehensive citywide drive to remove encroachments and enhance traffic discipline. This action follows a detailed survey that identified 79 traffic congestion hotspots across Ahmedabad, which were causing significant delays to the Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS) and Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) buses.
Survey Identifies Key Problem Areas
The civic body conducted the survey after receiving repeated complaints from commuters about buses running late on several routes, especially during peak traffic hours. The survey revealed that traffic congestion at these 79 locations, primarily due to illegal parking, roadside encroachments, wrong-side driving, and other traffic rule violations, was severely impacting bus schedules. Officials noted that buses were getting stuck for long durations at certain junctions and stretches, leading to inconvenience for passengers waiting at stops and disrupting trip frequency.
Scope of Public Transport Operations
AMTS and BRTS services together cater to nearly seven lakh passengers daily, with approximately 1,250 buses currently operating on various routes across the city. Despite these numbers, nearly 75% of buses currently arrive at stops on time. However, the identified congestion issues were causing delays for the remaining services, prompting the need for immediate action.
Measures Being Taken
The AMC has begun clearing encroachments and taking action against illegal parking in the identified areas, which are spread across the city’s seven zones. In addition to enforcement, authorities are working on road infrastructure improvements to streamline traffic movement. Plans are also underway to create additional parking facilities at required locations and enforce better traffic discipline to ensure smoother movement of public transport buses.
Future Plans for Public Transport
To further strengthen public transport infrastructure, the civic authorities are planning to add 3,000 air-conditioned buses over the next two years. This expansion aims to improve service quality and accommodate the growing demand for efficient and reliable public transportation in Ahmedabad.
