Ahmedabad’s Heritage Gates at Risk, ASI Urges Traffic Ban

Ahmedabad, Gujarat — The centuries-old heritage gates of Ahmedabad, a UNESCO World Heritage City, are once again in the spotlight—this time for all the wrong reasons. A recent collapse of the wooden shutter at the historic Delhi Gate has sparked alarm and forced the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to break its silence on the issue. In a hard-hitting letter to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), ASI has demanded urgent action, including stopping vehicular traffic through these fragile structures and removing encroachments.

“These gates are a legacy of our city’s glorious past. If we don’t act now, history will crumble right before our eyes,” said Kaushik Jain, BJP MLA from Dariyapur, who has been relentlessly pursuing the matter. “I have written multiple letters to ASI, urging them to take swift action before a tragedy strikes.”

Collapse Triggers Action

The tipping point came late one night when the wooden gate at Delhi Darwaza collapsed. Thankfully, no casualties occurred, but the incident raised red flags about the deteriorating state of Ahmedabad’s architectural heritage. ASI, which manages 9 of the city’s 12 historical gates, has now recommended that AMC stop all vehicular movement through these structures and implement barricading similar to what has been done at Astodia Gate.

According to the ASI, the original wooden shutters on four gates are still intact and require delicate conservation efforts. Encroachments by vendors, combined with relentless vehicular pressure, have accelerated the wear and tear.

ASI’s Demands to AMC

In its formal communication, ASI has laid out specific steps:

Immediately stop vehicle movement through the gates and find alternate routes.

Remove encroachments and reduce pressure from hawkers.

Barricade the gates for protection, replicating the Astodia Gate model.

Call an urgent meeting of the Heritage Conservation Committee (HCC) to discuss coordinated action.

AMC Caught Between Preservation and Practicality

The recommendations, while necessary for heritage conservation, come with serious implications for traffic management. “If we shut Delhi Darwaza’s two middle gates, traffic from Delhi Chakla will be restricted to one-way movement, risking massive traffic jams,” admitted Ramya Bhatt, Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Central Zone).

AMC has initiated talks with traffic police and ward committees to explore diversions and will place a proposal before the Municipal Commissioner and the Standing Committee.

Rath Yatra Route May Be Affected

The suggested closures could also impact the 147-year-old Jagannath Rath Yatra, one of Ahmedabad’s most significant cultural events. The chariot procession traditionally passes through Prem Darwaza and Panchkuva Darwaza—both now under ASI’s scanner. If closed, the route may have to be slightly altered.

Encroachments Strangling History

The neglect is more than structural—it’s systemic. Slipper shops, street vendors, and illegal signage have marred the visual and physical integrity of gates like Sarangpur, Raipur, and Kalupur. “Instead of showcasing the gates, we’ve turned them into dumping grounds. If we can’t stop traffic, we must at least free the gates from these encroachments,” said a senior heritage officer.