Alarming Safety Gaps Plague City Roads
Ahmedabad’s widening and smoother roads have failed to address a critical issue: pedestrian safety. Despite infrastructure improvements, pedestrians face constant danger from vehicles jumping curbs or passing dangerously close. The absence of proper footpaths and protective barriers puts lives at risk daily, especially for vulnerable groups like children and the elderly.
In response to these concerns, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is launching a new safety initiative: metal railings along footpaths on major roads throughout the city.
Critical Infrastructure Missing on 72% of Roads
The alarming statistics revealed at an April 3 standing committee meeting have prompted immediate action. Even those using existing footpaths have fallen victim to vehicles veering off course. The newly proposed “pedestrian footpath safety railing” project will create crucial barriers between fast-moving traffic and pedestrians on busy arterial routes including Ashram Road, CG Road, and Sindhu Bhavan Road.
AMC data paints a troubling picture of the city’s pedestrian infrastructure. Of Ahmedabad’s extensive 2,634-kilometer road network, a mere 28% (731.43km) feature footpaths. This leaves nearly three-quarters of city roads without dedicated pedestrian spaces, forcing people to walk dangerously close to traffic flows.
Strategic Implementation Targets High-Risk Areas
The comprehensive plan targets 905 kilometers of roads between 60 and 200 feet wide—areas with high pedestrian traffic and elevated accident risks. Newer city zones face particularly severe challenges.
“While over Rs 900 crore has been spent from 2022 to 2024 on resurfacing roads wider than 60 feet in these zones, footpaths were left out of the plan,” revealed an AMC official who requested anonymity. “In several localities, especially in areas like Chandkheda and Bopal, pedestrians still share road space with fast-moving vehicles.”
Previous Footpath Initiatives Faced Setbacks
Past efforts to address this infrastructure gap have encountered significant obstacles. In 2023, a Rs 50 crore tender for footpath construction failed when all applicants were disqualified. Even after dividing the project into six smaller Rs 10 crore packages across different zones, contractor interest remained low due to labor challenges and encroachment issues.
Only limited progress occurred in the West Zone and portions of the North West and South West Zones, with just a Rs 9.69 crore tender successfully approved.
Safety Standards and Future Benefits
Officials now emphasize the critical need for protective railings, particularly along roads being developed under the Rs 450 crore Smart Road project, such as Ashram Road. These installations aim to prevent accidents while creating secure walking environments for families and senior citizens.
The 2012 Indian Roads Congress (IRC) guidelines specifically identify safety railings as essential components of pedestrian-friendly design—standards Ahmedabad has historically overlooked.
By enhancing footpath safety, the AMC hopes to simultaneously reduce road accidents and promote walking as a safe, viable, and healthy transportation option throughout the city.
