Ahmedabad: AMC installed flap-based barrier smart parking systems on CG Road six months ago, all of which remain nonfunctional, and some broken.The system, when running, is secure and efficient, with barriers designed to ascend and descend to block individual parking slots.Last year, the civic body implemented a pilot project for the flap-based system in front of Gotila Garden on Sindhu Bhavan Road.In Oct 2025, AMC’s standing committee announced the establishment of smart parking systems on CG Road and Gujarat University Road; and on stretches from Sobo Circle to Marigold Circle, Zydus Hospital to Hebatpur Road, and Mithakhali Circle to Law Garden Road.AMC sources said that the pilot project spurred the decision to set up off-street smart parking in 50 plots across the city. The plan stipulated that parking a vehicle for up to five minutes would incur no charge, after which fees would have to be paid online.The flap-based barrier locks were designed to release only after the parking fee was paid online. Under this scheme, flap-based barriers were planned exclusively for four-wheelers.Currently, AMC provides parking for 42,991 two-wheelers and 10,860 four-wheelers across 175 locations, which include 73 on-street and 66 off-street parking sites.In addition, AMC has established five multi-level parking facilities, and pay-and-park operations are run under 29 bridges. AMC earns an annual revenue of approximately Rs 2.4 crore from the contracts awarded for all these parking facilities.Speaking on the condition of anonymity, an AMC official said, “AMC has planned the installation of 200 smart parking devices across 20 different locations in the city.”The official said, “If this trial succeeds, AMC will set up such smart parking systems in 50 more plots along with CCTV cameras.”The flap-based barrier smart parking system has not been operationalised because an on-street parking contract has already been awarded there, the official said.BoxMulti-level parking plans for East Riverfront stalled for yearAhmedabad: For the past year, the construction of two multi-level parking complexes on the eastern bank of Sabarmati Riverfront has remained stalled. AMC had planned to build the facilities within a 500-metre distance of the riverfront.A tender was issued to construct a seven-storey multi-level parking complex with a food plaza behind Victoria Garden. But the tendering process has not been completed for the past six months.A five-storey multi-level parking facility was planned for Imagicaa amusement park on the eastern promenade, but work on it has not commenced either.Over the past 10 years, AMC has constructed five multi-level parking complexes in various parts of the city for Rs 330.4 crore, while two complexes are under construction.Five multi-level parking facilities — in Kankaria, Sindhu Bhavan Road, Prahladnagar, Navrangpura, and Sabarmati Riverfront — have proved unsuccessful.
