Ahmedabad boosts green projects and sports with ₹15,502 Cr budget
Ahmedabad’s ambitious ₹15,502 crore municipal budget for 2024-25 reflects a strategic push towards urban sustainability, enhanced sports infrastructure, and tax incentives for citizens. The budget, passed by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s (AMC) standing committee, prioritises eco-friendly policies, tax relief, and large-scale infrastructure upgrades without imposing additional financial burdens on residents. Notably, the budget provides substantial property tax rebates and waives vehicle tax on electric vehicles (EVs), aligning with the city’s net-zero emissions target.
A key highlight is the enhancement of Ahmedabad’s sports infrastructure, driven by the city’s long-term aspirations to bid for global sporting events, including the Olympics. Under this initiative, the historic Sardar Patel Stadium in Navrangpura will be demolished to make way for state-of-the-art sporting facilities. The city also plans to develop modern sports complexes in various wards under the ‘Khele Amdavad’ programme, reinforcing its commitment to fostering an active and health-conscious population.
Major Tax Relief and Infrastructure Investments
Residents of Ahmedabad will benefit from an increased property tax rebate, which now stands at 12% for early payments, up from the previous 10%. Online payments receive an additional 1% rebate, bringing the total to 13%, while those maintaining advance tax payments for three consecutive years can avail of up to 15%. This policy aims to incentivise timely tax payments while reducing the financial strain on property owners.
Beyond tax relief, Ahmedabad’s civic infrastructure is set to witness a major transformation. The AMC has allocated ₹1,000 crore towards urban development projects, with an additional ₹100 crore for the Kharicut Canal redevelopment. To encourage efficient governance, the AMC will reward wards that complete development works on time with ₹1 crore in extra funding, while those excelling in cleanliness initiatives will receive similar incentives. Such performance-driven funding mechanisms seek to ensure timely project execution and enhanced service delivery for citizens.
Sustainability and Green Energy Initiatives
With sustainability at the core of the budget, the AMC has intensified efforts to promote green energy and waste management solutions. The waiver of vehicle tax on electric vehicles is expected to accelerate EV adoption, reducing carbon emissions and vehicular pollution in the city. Additionally, Ahmedabad will soon commission a waste-to-CNG plant to process over 70 tonnes of daily organic waste into sustainable fuel.
Several other green initiatives have been outlined, including the development of new gardens, renovation of existing parks, expansion of lake conservation projects, and installation of air quality monitoring sensors. The installation of plastic crusher machines across municipal zones aims to improve waste management and curb plastic pollution. Meanwhile, the city will develop percolation wells to enhance groundwater recharge, addressing growing concerns over depleting water reserves. These efforts reinforce Ahmedabad’s commitment to sustainable urban planning and environmental conservation.
Urban Growth and Civic Challenges
Ahmedabad’s rapid urbanisation presents both opportunities and challenges, with increasing demand for modern infrastructure, housing, and sustainable mobility solutions. The city’s focus on structured sports infrastructure development aligns with its vision to host international sporting events in the future. However, the demolition of the Sardar Patel Stadium raises concerns about preserving historical landmarks amidst rapid modernisation.
Moreover, while property tax rebates provide financial relief, questions remain about the fiscal sustainability of such incentives in the long run. Ensuring that infrastructure projects are completed efficiently and that green initiatives yield tangible environmental benefits will be critical to achieving Ahmedabad’s vision of a smart, sustainable metropolis.
As Ahmedabad gears up for a future marked by urban expansion and environmental responsibility, the 2024-25 budget sets a progressive yet challenging course for the city’s governance. Whether these ambitious policies translate into lasting improvements for residents will depend on efficient execution and continued public engagement in shaping the city’s development trajectory.
