Ahmedabad: With Navratri, the world’s longest dance festival, just 10 days away, Amdavadis are rushing to complete their last-minute shopping for traditional dresses and jewellery at Law Garden, one of Ahmedabad’s most popular shopping spots.

However, the sudden surge of shoppers, combined with illegal parking along the stretch between Law Garden Cross Road and Chakli Circle, is causing traffic jams that last up to 30 minutes in the evening.

Both commuters and shoppers are increasingly frustrated by the traffic chaos and poor management.

Urvi Chokshi, who visited Law Garden to shop for her five-year-old daughter, Kiara, said she has had to return twice due to persistent traffic issues.

“A few days ago, I went with my daughter to buy traditional dresses and jewellery for Navratri. But the traffic and parking problems were so bad that I left without shopping,” Urvi said.

She added, “Later, I took my husband with me. He dropped us off near Law Garden, and once we finished shopping, he came back to pick us up.”

Dharmesh Shah, a working professional, shared similar frustrations: “I avoid using this road in the evenings because of the frequent traffic jams caused by illegally parked cars and two-wheelers. The traffic police should step in, especially since Navratri will go on for the next 20 days.”

Many other shoppers and stall owners, many of whom have traveled from Kutch and Saurashtra to sell traditional attire for Navratri, echoed these complaints.

“People often park their vehicles in front of our stalls. We ask them to park properly so they don’t cause unnecessary traffic jams, but our requests are usually ignored,” said one stall owner. “We don’t have the authority to confront them, and with business at its peak, we can’t risk getting into arguments.”

One vendor suggested a solution: “The traffic police could declare this area a ‘no vehicle zone’ until Navratri ends. It would make things easier for both commuters and shoppers, saving everyone’s time.”