The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) are at odds over the value of land for an extradosed bridge that would cross the intersection, causing the Sanathal road expansion project to come to a standstill.
The Ujala Circle to Navapura section in Sarkhej is the focus of the road widening project along the Ahmedabad-Bavla-Bagodara national route, of which this bridge is an essential part. The main point of contention is the AMC’s plan to combine two 20,958 square metre service roads into.
NHAI roadway, at an estimated cost of 100 crore. Conflict currently results from the AMC’s assessment of the land at a higher worth, even though it was originally meant to be transferred to NHAI. The current deadlock is the outcome of a land acquisition notification being issued by the NHAI in response to the AMC’s valuation.
The Sanathal Road Widening Project, a critical infrastructure initiative aimed at alleviating traffic congestion on the Ahmedabad-Bavla-Bagodara national highway, has encountered significant challenges, primarily due to disputes over land valuation and acquisition between the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
Project Overview
The project’s objective is to widen the highway stretch between Ujala Circle and Navapura in Sarkhej from the existing 45 meters to 70 meters. This expansion includes the addition of service lanes on both sides to facilitate smoother traffic flow. A pivotal component of this project is the construction of an extradosed bridg.
hybrid structure that combines elements of both prestressed box girder and cable-stayed bridges—over the existing flyover at Sanathal Circle on the SP Ring Road. This bridge is intended to address the persistent traffic bottleneck at the Sanathal junction, where the Ahmedabad-Bavla-Bagodara National Highway passes beneath the Sanathal flyover, leading to frequent congestion between Ujala Circle and the junction.
Land Acquisition Dispute
The crux of the current impasse lies in the acquisition and valuation of approximately 20,958 square meters of land required for merging two service roads into the NHAI highway. The AMC has estimated the cost of this land at around ₹100 crore, based on commercial land rates. Initially, there was an understanding that the AMC would transfer the land.
NHAI, with the cost to be settled later based on valuation. However, disagreements arose when the AMC billed NHAI based on these commercial rates, leading NHAI to issue a land acquisition notification, thereby complicating the process and causing a stalemate.
AMC officials have expressed strong reservations about NHAI’s move to acquire the land under acquisition laws, especially after the AMC’s standing committee had approved the proposal to transfer the land to NHAI in February 2024. This disagreement has stalled the construction of the extradosed bridge and, consequently, the entire road-widening project, exacerbating traffic congestion and affecting local commuters.
Recent Developments
As of January 2025, there have been efforts to resolve the dispute. The Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority’s (Auda) Land Price Fixing Committee set the land price at ₹1 lakh per square meter, resulting in the AMC collecting ₹209.58 crore for the land. The AMC’s estate department is expected to issue a demand letter to NHAI for this amount. This development indicates a potential resolution to the land valuation dispute, which could pave the way for the project to get back on track.
Impact on Traffic and Commuters
The delay in the project’s execution has led to continued traffic snarls on the affected stretch, causing inconvenience to daily commuters and impacting the efficiency of transportation in the region. The resolution of the land acquisition and valuation issues is crucial for the timely completion of the project, which is expected to significantly improve traffic flow and reduce congestion on this vital highway corridor.
The Sanathal Road Widening Project’s challenges underscore the complexities involved in urban infrastructure development, particularly concerning land acquisition and inter-agency coordination. The recent progress in resolving the land valuation dispute offers hope for the project’s advancement, which is essential for enhancing the transportation infrastructure and easing traffic congestion in the region.
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