Holi In Ahmedabad: In a major update for the commuters, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has stated that the Atal Bridge and sections of the Sabarmati Riverfront Gardens will remain closed until 5 pm on March 4. While providing details, the authority stated that the decision was taken to manage the large crowd during Holi. It further stated that several regions of the city are likely to witness traffic congestion during the celebrations. The authority further advised the residents to follow the guidelines and plan their days accordingly to avoid any inconveniences.
While providing details, the authority stated that the crowd is difficult to manage during Holi, adding that the gardens will remain open after 5 pm for the visitors. "We follow this practice every year during the Holi period. People often gather to play Holi and end up littering, and it becomes difficult to control the situation," an AMC officer was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.
"The gardens will reopen after 5 pm for visitors to sit and spend time, but playing Holi will still not be allowed," he added. He stated that the access to Atal Bridge will also resume after 5 pm, further suggesting the residents to utilise the public transportation to avoid the rush. While 500 to 600 visitors and residents visit the park on a daily basis, the authority had expected a sudden surge around Holi.
While the gardens and Atal Bridge open at 9 am on usual days, the residents will not be able to visit these sites on March 4 till 5 pm. It is one of the most visited public spaces of the city due to the scenery, and a large crowd was expected to celebrate Holi in the park.
The authority has advised the commuters to follow the guidelines and avoid visiting the congested regions during the peak hours to avoid the rush.