Ahmedabad moved closer to its urban transport transformation goals on Thursday with a two-day capacity-building workshop on active mobility, organised by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). The programme is part of preparations for the proposed 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympic Games, with a focus on building safer, people-centred streets that integrate walking and cycling into the city's transport network.

Workshop Background and Structure

The training was conducted under the Sustainable Urban Mobility – Air Quality, Climate Action and Accessibility (SUM-ACA) project, a wider initiative supported by MoHUA and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) India. International experts from the Dutch Cycling Embassy and the ACTIVE Programme, backed by the Netherlands government, led the sessions, sharing global examples of pedestrian- and cycling-oriented urban planning and discussing approaches adaptable to Indian cities.

The programme opened with a pre-workshop discussion to map local challenges and priorities, followed by two days of technical sessions. An online follow-up session is planned to assess implementation, gather feedback, and provide additional guidance.

Who Participated

Participants included officials from the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC), the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC), students from CEPT University, and representatives of technical organisations engaged in urban mobility projects with the civic body. The cross-sectoral mix was deliberate — bringing together policymakers, planners, and the next generation of urban designers under one roof.

Key Training Themes

Sessions combined classroom instruction, group discussions, and practical design exercises covering complete streets, safe intersection design, universal accessibility, cycling infrastructure, pedestrian safety, and the integration of walking and cycling with public transport. A standout feature was an on-site learning session in which participants assessed existing road conditions at selected locations and developed design recommendations based on concepts covered in the training.

On the second day, a guided cycle ride was organised in collaboration with MYBYK, giving participants direct experience of Ahmedabad's existing cycling infrastructure. The exercise underscored the importance of incorporating cyclists' perspectives into street design decisions.

Significance for CWG 2030 and Olympics 2036

According to the organisers, the workshop is a critical component of a broader capacity-building drive tied to the Centre's plans for hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympic Games. The aim is to develop a modern, sustainable urban transport system capable of meeting the demands of international sporting events. At the concluding session, participants presented their observations and design recommendations for improving the city's roads and public spaces.

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation acknowledged the contributions of the Netherlands government, expert trainers, GIZ India, the SUM-ACA team, MYBYK, CEPT University, and all participating organisations. As Ahmedabad positions itself as a global sports host city, the push for inclusive, environmentally sustainable mobility infrastructure is set to intensify in the months ahead.