Mumbai, Oct. 28 -- The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has put on hold a Rs. 423.2 mn proposal to redevelop the road from Mansi Circle to Himalaya Mall through Vastrapur Lake and Drive-In Road. The decision followed opposition from local residents, traders and members of the Bharatiya Janata Party, with the proposal facing questions over the need for the work.
The AMC's North-West Zone engineering department had proposed appointing a consultant to develop the road in the Bodakdev ward as a precinct area. Tenders were invited twice, and after a third round, the department sought approval for a bid from Devarsh Construction. The company quoted Rs. 423.2 mn, which was 18.69 per cent above the estimated cost.
The AMC Road Committee has kept the proposal pending for further study. Officials will assess whether raising the road level could affect rainwater drainage and parking, examine the impact on traffic movement, and establish whether the project would alter the road's width. They will also compare the proposed cost with other road works undertaken in the zone.
Residents and traders in the Bodakdev ward reportedly told local BJP representatives that the existing road was in good condition and had no major problems. They questioned the proposed expenditure on widening footpaths and replacing streetlight poles when there was no apparent need for redevelopment. Other committee members raised concerns that wider footpaths could reduce the usable road space, create room for hawkers and encroachments, and inconvenience motorists. They referred to other road projects where redevelopment had reportedly resulted in a reduction in road width. The proposal could be withdrawn after the review, although the committee is yet to take a final decision.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.