Ahmedabad Unveils Record Rs 17,000 Crore Draft Budget with CWG 2030 Focus
In a significant move aimed at transforming the city ahead of the Commonwealth Games 2030, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has proposed its highest-ever draft budget of Rs 17,018 crore for the fiscal year 2025-26. Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani presented this ambitious financial plan to Standing Committee Chairman Devang Dani on Wednesday, emphasizing a theme of building a sustainable, adaptive, inclusive, and futuristic Ahmedabad.
No Tax Hikes in Election Year
Notably, in what is a corporation election year, the draft budget proposes no increase in taxes for residents. This marks a substantial rise from the previous year's allocation of Rs 14,001 crore, with the highlight being a massive capital expenditure of Rs 9,868 crore. Commissioner Pani highlighted that Ahmedabad is among the first Indian cities to allocate such a significant portion of its budget to capital projects, underscoring a commitment to long-term infrastructure development.
Eight Key Focus Areas for Holistic Development
The budget is structured around eight pivotal areas designed to address both immediate needs and future challenges:
- Basic Services
- Sustainability Initiatives
- Heritage Conservation
- Ease of Movement
- Inclusive City Development
- City Beautification
- Governance Reforms
- Citizen-Centric Facilities
Commissioner Pani described this as a participatory budget, incorporating over 700 emails and 2,600 letters from citizens. It also represents the first financial plan to integrate preparations for the centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, with identified gaps in roads, water, sewage, stormwater, and health services slated for targeted interventions.
Major Infrastructure and Mobility Projects
A cornerstone of the budget is the enhancement of Ahmedabad's transportation network. Key proposals include:
- Road Widening: The ring road, highways, and other major roads surrounding the city will be widened to improve logistics and reduce congestion.
- Elevated Corridors and Flyovers: New elevated corridors from Nehrunagar to Shivranjani and Bopal Ghuma SP Ring Road to Ghuma, along with three flyovers at Memo junction, Bhakti Circle Kathrada junction, and Silver Star junction.
- Underpass Development: A Rs 30 crore underpass connecting Sabarmati Riverfront to Cantonment premises and Sardar Vallabhbhai International Airport circle.
- Adaptive Traffic Control System (ATCS): An allocation of Rs 899 crore to implement an ATCS aimed at mitigating increasing traffic chaos through smart technology.
Additionally, to foster pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, a dedicated pedestrian cell will be established under the road design cell, with Rs 50 crore earmarked for constructing approximately 200 km of roads across different zones.
Flood-Proofing and Sustainability Initiatives
In response to urban flooding challenges, the AMC has proposed substantial investments to make Ahmedabad a flood-proof city:
- Ten new stormwater networks worth Rs 453 crore.
- A Rs 200 crore masterplan for flood-proofing, including flood risk management modeling with sensors, lake rejuvenation, interlinking of lakes, and a new biodiversity park on the Sabarmati Riverfront.
- Installation of underground utility ducts on all new roads of 36 meters or more width to prevent repeated road digging by various agencies.
Other sustainability measures include a Smart Water Management System (Rs 80 crore), nature-based solutions like parks and 5 million trees (Rs 403.82 crore), and a zero-waste city initiative (Rs 289.40 crore).
Innovative Urban Planning and Technology Integration
The budget also embraces technological advancements for smarter governance:
- AI Urban Observatory: A Rs 50 crore allocation for an AI-powered observatory to collect and analyze data from various departments, enhancing urban services in areas like drainage, health, climate resilience, and waste management.
- Water Metro Feasibility Study: Inspired by Kochi's model, Rs 1 crore has been proposed to study the feasibility of a water metro with assistance from the Inland Waterways Authority, with a report expected within 1-2 months.
- Thematic Road Beautification: Thirty roads will be developed under a Rs 130 crore project, including a Rs 600 crore upgrade of SG Highway from Ujala Circle to Vaishnodevi Circle.
This comprehensive draft budget sets a new benchmark for municipal planning in India, balancing immediate civic needs with visionary projects for the Commonwealth Games 2030 and beyond. It reflects a strategic approach to urban development that prioritizes sustainability, inclusivity, and technological innovation, all while maintaining fiscal prudence by avoiding tax hikes.
