Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority’s plan to add service roads to SP Ring Road faces 5km hurdle

Ahmedabad: After a project was approved by Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (Auda) to upgrade the SP Ring Road with six-laning, the authority requested the AMC to make provisions for service roads on the 76km ring road.Auda planned to develop these service roads. But the authority faced a hurdle: a 5km stretch of the road passes through areas that are non-TP (Town Planning) zones.
Consequently, the AMC did not have service roads in these areas. To propose service roads in these areas, new TP scheme drafts will need to be created. Meanwhile, the corporation began the process of handing over possession of service roads in the remaining 71km area to Auda. An Auda official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated, "In 2006, Auda developed the 76km SP Ring Road on the build-operate-transfer basis. However, at the time, there was no uniformity in the width of the road, which varied from 60 metres to 96 metres in different sections." The official said, "Now, in the six-laning project, there is a plan to acquire and develop service roads around the SP Ring Road." An official from the AMC, also speaking anonymously, said, "When Auda developed the SP Ring Road, TP scheme drafts were created for the areas it passed through. Currently, over 5km of the SP Ring Road passes through non-TP areas." The official said, "Initially, the possession of service roads in TP scheme areas will be given, and later, drafts will be suggested for non-TP areas to provide service roads." Auda approved two tenders worth Rs 2,200 crore to upgrade the 76km SP Ring Road with six-laning. In Phase 1, the 37km eastern stretch will be upgraded, and in Phase 2, the 39.2km western stretch will be revamped. Additionally, service roads will be developed, with existing two-lane service roads being expanded to four lanes over 34km, and three-lane service roads over 15km being expanded to four lanes. The service roads of the AMC will also be included in this development. In the six-laning project, Auda plans to construct two new three-lane bridges next to the existing bridges over the Sabarmati river at Bhat and Kamod. Additionally, three six-lane underpasses will be constructed at Bhat Circle, Chiloda Circle, and Aslali Circle on the SP Ring Road. To create a pedestrian crossing, six new foot overbridges will be built on the SP Ring Road. According to the new tender, the current concessionaire company's toll collection term ends on Dec 31, 2026. Under the new tender formula, Auda will handle toll collection on the SP Ring Road. After the six-lane upgrade, the toll rates will be revised. The contractor companies developing the road will receive annuity payments every six months.