Ahmedabad is on the verge of becoming a concrete jungle due to the lack of green spaces, the Gujarat High Court remarked on Monday during the hearing of a case (Dharini Shah & Ors. v. State of Gujarat & Ors.). Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal expressed concern that even apartment complexes in the city lack green areas, stating, “They all have parking spaces but no green areas. After some time, Ahmedabad will become a concrete jungle; I am being modest in saying that it will become that after some time.”
The court highlighted the need for comprehensive urban planning to address traffic congestion and the diminishing green cover. The bench, which included Justice Pranav Trivedi, was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by residents opposing the construction of a flyover at Panjrapole cross-road. The petitioners argued that the flyover would destroy significant green areas and narrow the roads, exacerbating traffic congestion. They also raised concerns about Ranjeet Constructions Private Limited, the company contracted for the flyover, which had a history of building a collapsed bridge.
The petitioners pointed out that Ahmedabad has one of the lowest green covers in the country, citing a 48 percent decrease in green cover since 2011. According to a report, the city’s green cover shrank from 17.96 square kilometers in 2011 to about 9 square kilometers currently.
Chief Justice Agarwal also addressed the issue of traffic safety, noting that many two-wheeler riders in Ahmedabad do not wear helmets and often speed, leading to frequent accidents. She specifically mentioned the Judges Bungalow road in Bodakdev as particularly dangerous.
The Chief Justice emphasized that solving traffic problems requires a holistic approach rather than short-term solutions like isolated flyovers. Urban planning must consider the entire city’s structure to be effective.
The court instructed the petitioners to expand their petition to include these broader issues and scheduled the next hearing for August 5. Advocate Salil M. Thakore represented the petitioners.
