Ahmedabad's SG Road Struggles Under Unprecedented Traffic Surge
Once envisioned as a key gateway for Ahmedabad's expansion, the Sarkhej-Gandhinagar (SG) Road is now grappling with the overwhelming pressures of the city's relentless growth. This major corridor, governed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), has seen daily traffic volumes skyrocket from 27,178 vehicles in 2017 to an astounding 1,00,870 by 2025. This represents a staggering 271% increase, far outpacing growth on other significant routes in the region.
Traffic Growth Outstrips Other Major Highways
The surge on SG Road dwarfs the traffic increases observed elsewhere in Ahmedabad. For instance, the Ahmedabad-Mehsana highway recorded a 74.85% rise, while the Ahmedabad-Rajkot Road saw a 53.44% growth over the same period. Today, SG Road carries more than 1.05 lakh passenger car units daily, cementing its status as one of the city's most congested corridors. This exponential growth has transformed the road from a facilitator of expansion into a bottleneck of urban mobility.
Alarming Rise in Accident Hotspots Along SG Road
The strain on SG Road is not just about congestion; it is also taking a lethal toll. According to EMRI 108 data for 2025, five of Ahmedabad's ten worst accident hotspots are now located on or near SG Road. Prahladnagar Garden topped the list with 499 emergency calls, followed closely by Gota (498), Bodakdev (478), Vaishnodevi Circle (444), and Sola Civil Hospital (373). While EMRI officials note that these figures reflect ambulance catchment areas—with teams typically responding within a 5-10 km radius—the concentration of incidents remains deeply concerning.
A senior EMRI official explained, "Given the sheer volume of vehicles and complexity of traffic patterns, road traffic accident cases are relatively high along SG Road. Our estimates suggest the SG Road corridor alone accounts for one in every ten road traffic accidents recorded in the city." This statistic underscores the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and infrastructure improvements.
Infrastructure Struggles to Keep Pace with Demand
Authorities have acknowledged that the existing infrastructure is struggling to keep up with the explosive traffic growth. P R Patelia, secretary in the state roads and buildings department, stated, "Traffic volumes on SG Road have exploded well beyond earlier projections. While both the Gujarat government and the Centre have poured investments into new flyovers and underpasses, the traffic has multiplied many times over." This mismatch between infrastructure development and actual usage highlights the challenges of urban planning in rapidly growing cities.
Ongoing Efforts to Alleviate Congestion and Improve Safety
In response to these pressing issues, coordinated efforts are underway involving NHAI and local bodies. The focus is on eliminating bottlenecks and upgrading connecting roads to enhance traffic flow. Additionally, several major projects are in the pipeline, including an elevated corridor and three new bridges designed to enable uninterrupted travel from Sarkhej to Chiloda. These initiatives aim to provide long-term relief and improve overall road safety along this critical artery.
As Ahmedabad continues to expand, the lessons from SG Road serve as a stark reminder of the importance of proactive infrastructure planning. The road's transformation from a symbol of growth to a site of congestion and danger calls for sustained investment and innovative solutions to ensure safe and efficient mobility for all residents.
