Sarkhej–Gandhinagar Highway

The Sarkhej–Gandhinagar Highway, colloquially the S.G. Road or S.G. Highway, connects the city of Ahmedabad with Gandhinagar, the capital of the state of Gujarat, India. It forms a major part of NH 147, which connects Sarkhej with Chiloda near Gandhinagar. It is a major artery road for commercial and public transport, and is witnessing a major construction boom along its route towards Gandhinagar.

Sarkhej – Gandhinagar Highway
Highway Map
Route information
Maintained by Government of Gujarat
Length44.5 km (27.7 mi)
Existed2002–present
Major junctions
Southwest endSarkhej
North endGandhinagar
Location
CountryIndia
StatesGujarat
Highway system

History

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The highway was primarily built as a mean to bypass traffic from the city centre of Ahmedabad. But lower land prices led to a boom in real estate and the retail industry. Presently, prices of land within the vicinity of the highway are more comparable to those in downtown areas. It has emerged as a hub for educational, entertainment and corporate parks.

In 2015, the National Highways Authority of India transferred administrative control of the highway to the Government of Gujarat.[1]

Transportation

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The highway is dotted with Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS) bus stops, which connect the highway with the interior of the city. AMTS has sldo started a feeder air conditioning bus service in association with Airports Authority of India, connecting Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport with the city, with its last stop at Karnavati Club on the Sarkhej–Gandhinagar Highway.[2]

It is estimated that a minimum of one lakh PCUs (passenger car units) travels per day on this highway.[3] And, during the festivals and on Mondays and Tuesdays, there is a sharp jump in the volume of traffic.

In 2015, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) started earmarking paid parking spots for various categories of vehicles on 4.7 km stretch between Karnavati Club and Hebatpur-Sola on the Highway, where a number of offices and shopping complexes are located.[4]

Landmarks

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Corporate towers lining the SG Highway.

The highway is dotted with large-scale retail outlets like Lifestyle, Globus, Croma, and Westside. Various automotive dealership showrooms including Porsche, BMW, Audi, Triumph, Jaguar, Land Rover, Range Rover, Nissan, Volvo, Toyota, Rolls-Royce, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Skoda, Jeep,[5] Ducati[6] and Mercedes are located on this road.

Government institutions

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Religious institutions

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  • Gobindham Gurudwara
  • ISKCON Temple
  • Vasihnodevi Temple
  • Adalaj

Educational institutions and research centres

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Hospitals

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Corporate institutions and parks

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  • GNFC Tower
  • Intas Biopharmaceuticals Corporate Office
  • Mondeal Square
  • Mondeal Heights
  • Shapath IV
  • Shapath V
  • Titanium One
  • Titanium Plaza
  • TTEC
  • Signature 1
  • Zydus Corporate Park (ZCP)

Entertainment centres

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  • Acropolis Mall
  • Crowne Plaza Ahmedabad
  • ISCON Mall
  • Karnavati Club
  • Novotel Ahmedabad
  • Rajpath Club
  • The Grand Bhagwati
  • YMCA International Centre
  • Palladium Ahmedabad Mall
  • Swagat Holiday Mall [7]

Public places

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Future developments

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  • On 7 July 2017, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has sanctioned INR 7 billion for the development of 44 km stretch of the highway.[8]
  • Currently as of October 2024 the new elevated flyover is to be construct from YMCA club to Karnavati club to reduce the traffic and emission.
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Accidents

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The Times of India reports during 22 July 2023 a significant increase in road traffic accidents on SG Road in Ahmedabad, India, according to data from emergency service provider EMRI 108. The 2022–23 period saw an average of eight accidents daily, a 65% rise from the previous year. This surge has led to a doubling of ambulance services in the area. The high accident rate is attributed to SG Road's nature as a city-passing highway with heavy converging traffic and higher average vehicle speeds. Implementing speed calming measures, proper signage, lane demarcation, and adequate lighting are suggested as potential solutions to reduce accidents.[10]

  • A fatal incident occurred on Ahmedabad's ISKCON Bridge when a vehicle, driven by Tathya Patel, struck a crowd that had gathered due to a previous collision, resulting in nine deaths. Following the tragic event, Patel was promptly arrested by local authorities.[11][12][13]
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References

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  1. ^ "SG Highway under GoG control, flyover at Vaishnodevi circle likely". DeshGujarat. 8 December 2015. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  2. ^ Brahmbhatt, Alok (18 June 2017). "AC bus service from airport – Ahmedabad Mirror". Ahmedabad Mirror. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  3. ^ "Centre okays seven new flyovers on SG Highway – Times of India". The Times of India. TNN. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  4. ^ "Paid parking on Ahmedabad's SG Highway, Gurukul road – Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  5. ^ "FCA India opens first Jeep dealership in Ahmedabad". www.autocarpro.in. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  6. ^ "Ducati India opens new dealership in Ahmedabad – Overdrive". Overdrive. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  7. ^ Mall, Swagat Holiday Mall (4 November 2024). "Mall in gandhinagar".
  8. ^ "Centre sanctions Rs 700 crore for flyovers, widening of SG Road – Times of India". The Times of India. TNN. 7 July 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  9. ^ "It is A'bad calling for southern stars". Ahmedabad Mirror. 28 November 2016. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  10. ^ "Reckless driving led to 8 accidents daily on SG Road: EMRI 108 data". The Times of India. 22 July 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  11. ^ "Car Driver Arrested For Crushing 9 people To Death In Ahmedabad: Cops". NDTV.com. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  12. ^ "9 Dead, 11 Injured In Road Accident On Iskcon Flyover In Gujarat's Ahmedabad". ABP Live. 20 July 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  13. ^ "Gujarat: 9 Dead As Car Mows Down Crowd Gathered At Accident Site On Ahmedabad Bridge; Realtor, Son Arrested". www.india.com. Retrieved 22 July 2023.