Amdavad was at the leading place in Non-co-operation movement, and Dandi-Kuch (March of Dandi) began under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi in order to abolish tax on salt from here, where many great leaders had participated.
Amdavad is still at the top during modern era. ISRO, an important institute for space research, has been founded here at Amdavad, and another two organizations, remarkable in the field of education- NID (National Institute of Design), and IIM (Indian Institute of Management) also are at Amdavad. These three institutes have international fame, in addition to being famous in India. Thus, Amdavad is an important city at present time also. Several foreign tourists coming to India do visit Sabarmati Harijan Ashram resided by Mahatma Gandhi.
There is continuous hike in population vis-à-vis the industrial development. The walled area of the city experience congestion of population and with that the jurisdiction of municipality also expanded. The housing societies and colonies had been started in the surrounding areas in order to reduce the density somewhere in 1940. Leading citizens, lawyers, labour leaders, industrialists and traders were elected as municipal members in those days. Shri Manibhai Chaturbhai Shah was the municipal President. Dr. A.N.Tankaria was the Vice-President and Shri Navinchandra Desai was standing committee Chairman. Moreover Shri Nandlal Bodiwala, Shri Arjunlal Bhogilal Lala, Shri Dolatram Umedram Shah and Shri Dadubhai Amin were among municipality members. They were concerned about the welfare of the citizens and the ideals of the social workers in that generation were very high with warm feelings for the society. They were vigilant for the well-being of the city. The very first resolution was passed by the municipality on 10th June 1940 in the General Board meeting (to begin transport services vide Resolution No. 476 dated 10-6-40). This task was put on the board by the standing committee (vide committee Resolution No. 878 dated 4-6-1940)
According to the said resolution, it was decided to form a special committee vide Section No.38 of municipal Burro Act. The jurisdiction of the committee was to get the sanction of state government to acquire loan amount necessary for the bus project, and to map out various bus-routes in different areas of the city. Main purpose of the transport service was to avoid the population density in city area and thereby to provide affordable means of transportation facility for the citizens staying far from the main city area. The profit motive was not there at all at any stage. The decision was to start transport facility first in the municipal boundary. For that purpose they had to contact Provincial Motor-transport Controller and Regional Transport Authority in Gujarat in order to obtain necessary licence valid upto 31-3-1941. The committee was comprised of 7 members including Shri Arjunlala, Shri Nandlal Bodiwala, Shri Navinchandra Desai, and Shri Dadubhai Amin.
The committee formed in June 1940 presented its plan to the General Board on 21st August, 1940 vide Resolution No.1161 dtd.21-8-40. The Board resolved in addition that the plan should be sanctioned by R.T.A. and it should permit to manage the bus-routes mentioned in the resolution for five years. If the R.T.A. proposes to increase number of Bus-routes, or if the municipality thinks so by its experience, more routes will be added. Other areas such as Naroda , Vasana, Sabarmati Hansol etc. also will be provided with the service if the need arises, and due approvals will be obtained from Commissioner of Northern region as per municipal Burro Act. If the municipality does not get such approval, and some other organisation obtains the same, RTA must clarify that such organisation will not allow the passengers within municipal limit to use the facility of transport.
The President of the committee was authorised to make any alterations in the plan if required. Municipal Chief officer was empowered to apply for the stage carriage permit and to pay the fees, expenses etc. for that purpose. The President was also empowered to make necessary arrangements for the public loan amount to Rs.14,00,000 with the rate of interest at 4%.
In Oct.1940, as per General Board Resolution No.1640 dtd.24-10-1940, the committee was authorised to purchase buses from the licenced manufacturers at the market-price suggested by arbitrator, and municipal corporators were duly given power to take necessary steps in this aspect.
No conerete steps seem to have been taken till 1946, after the above sanctions in the subject of starting municipal transport service. Probably some difficulties might have been raised from the licenced manufacturers or the delay in Government decisions against the execution of this plan.
Thereafter this topic was discussed many times, and in November 1949, the old plan prepared by the Bus-Committee was passed (with Resolution No.800 dtd.16-11-46). It was suggested that the plan should be proposed properly to the Transport Minister of Mumbai State through the President who can forward it and discuss it systematically. The Board also approved to collect a loan amt. Rs. 25 lacs as a cost of transport project. The proposal was put forth by the first president Dr. A.N.Tankaria who was also appointed later as a chairman of bus-committee, the proposal was supported by Shri Ram Prasad Contractor. Moreover the decision was taken to obtain monopoly in the subject of plying the buses within the municipal areas as well as in Sabarmati, Vasana, Naroda, Odhav and Sadar Bazaar. It was also decided to get approval from Government of Mumbai to float a long term loan for 30 years at 3% interest rate in Feb/March 1947 for this project. There was a firm decision this time to start the transport service, and the committee got a wider authority, so that they can make their best effort enthusiastically to complete it. They constantly contacted government officers, ministers and influential people. Public opinion was developed in favour of starting the public-bus, therefore the government was impelled to take a quick decision. Bus-fare was kept as 1 (one) Anna minimum and 3 Annas maximum and the fact was informed to R.T.A. office through the chief officer.
During this time resolution No-275 dtd. 23-5-46 was passed to take expert services of Shri G.L. Sheth (ICS) in the municipality. He has played a great role to initiate bus-services. He also helped in taking quick administrative decisions, and guiding in routine jobs to the committee. His enthusiasm and talent were very much helpful to start the services.
Resolution No.358 dtd. 4-6-46 was passed in response of the proposal made by Shri Arjun Lal, and it was bifurcated in two parts :
(1) People should be convinced to build residential units on the open plots situated outside the city, to reduce the population density. However this was difficult in the absence of proper transport facility, therefore the Board resolved that monopoly right should be vested with the municipality to ply petrol or diesel buses and electric trolley service. The Board also requested Mumbai Government to make changes in the present laws if the need arises.
(2) The Board also resolved to rethink the 1940 plan or to fabricate all new plan, keeping in view the growing population, and form a new committee, that can invite the experts for their advice, and necessary expenses should be made for the project.
Committee members:
(1). Dr. A. N. Tankaria – Chairman
(2). Shri Chinubhai Chamanlal
(3). Shri Chaitanya Prasad M. Diwanji
(4). Shri Ramprasad Chandulal Contractor
(5). Shri Krishnalal T. Desai
(6). Shri Arjunlal Bhogilal Lala
(7). Shri A. S. Sheikh
(8). Sir Mehboobmiya Imanbaksh Kadri
(9). Shri Keshavji Ranchhodji Vaghela
There was appropriate guidance, great help and co-operation from Mr. W. H. Whitfield, the provincial Motor Transport controller together with his officers and staff to complete the project started by Amdavad municipality. Therefore a resolution (No.123 dtd. 19-4-47, and No. 188 dtd. 1/5/47) was passed to appreciate his valuable services.
R.T.A issued the permit to manage 29 routes for the bus-service to Municipality of Amdavad in Jan. 1947, therefore the preparation for service was to be started as fast as possible. An executive committee (for buses) was appointed Vide General Board Resolution No. 1071 dtd. 29-1-47, to enhance this task. The committee got authority from the municipality vide section-38 (1) of Municipal Burroes to perform the responsibilities of routine administration. A mandate was issued by the chief officer to appoint employees having maximum salary upto Rs. 250. The committee had the tenure of one year, it was comprise of 9 members:
Dr. A. N. Tankaria – Chairman
Sheth Shantilal Mangaldas
Shri S. A. Kher
Shri Arjun Bhogilal Lala
Shri Somnath Prabhashankar Dave
Shri Vrajlal Keshavlal Mehta
Shri Keshavji Ranchhodji Vaghela
Janab Mehboob I. Kadri
Janab M. H. Narsi
Dr. Tankaria, the chairman had also served as the member in Traffic Advisory Committee on behalf of the municipality.
Among the above members, Shri Somnath Dave and Shri Keshavji Vaghela were chief representatives of Labour Guild (Majoor Mahajan). The Labour Guild has extended its co-operation right from the inception of transport service. The staff of Morris Co. was accommodated into AMTS due to the efforts of Shri Khandubhai Desai, Shri. Vasavda and Shri Somnath Dave, who were members of Labour Guild.
1-4-47 was the date, fixed to start transport service. Many preparations including ordering and delivery of the buses, appointment of staff and erecting route-poles at various bus-stops, were to be done fast.
To begin with, Shri N. G. Pandit, officer at RTO, was appointed as Traffic Manager for 3 yrears with the Salary scale Rs. 450 – 900, vide bus-committee Resolution No.2 dtd. 30-1-47. Shri Pandit agreed to the proposal and the process became fast and easy due to his experience.
The following employees also were approved for appointment: