Ahmedabad has unveiled a new package of urban development initiatives combining large-scale greening, public transport upgrades and civic infrastructure investments, as the city seeks to strengthen climate resilience while improving the quality of urban life. The latest projects include an expanded network of oxygen parks, additional electric buses for the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) and public infrastructure works valued at around ₹405 crore.
The programme was launched during a public event in the city where senior government representatives inaugurated multiple civic projects alongside the next phase of Ahmedabad’s urban tree plantation campaign. The initiatives form part of the city’s broader strategy to increase green cover, reduce pollution and modernise public infrastructure amid rapid population growth. A key component is the expansion of Ahmedabad Oxygen Parks, with 101 green spaces now developed across different parts of the city. Municipal officials said the parks collectively cover nearly one million square metres and include more than 2.2 million planted saplings. Beyond increasing tree cover, these spaces are designed to improve biodiversity, lower urban heat, support groundwater recharge through rainwater harvesting and provide residents with accessible recreational areas. Several of the parks have also been planned with children’s play zones, walking tracks and sports facilities, reflecting a shift towards neighbourhood-based public spaces that encourage healthier lifestyles. Urban planners increasingly view such green infrastructure as essential for mitigating heat stress and improving liveability in densely built environments.
The city’s public transport network is also being expanded through the induction of 80 new air-conditioned electric BRTS buses under a gross cost contract model. The additional vehicles will increase the share of zero-emission buses within Ahmedabad’s BRTS fleet, where electric buses already account for a significant proportion of operations. Transport experts say expanding electric public transport can reduce local air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions while making mass transit more attractive for daily commuters. However, they note that the long-term success of fleet electrification will depend on charging infrastructure, reliable operations and stronger integration with metro rail, AMTS services and non-motorised transport networks. Municipal authorities have indicated that the current induction is only the first stage of a larger transition towards an all-electric BRTS system.
Earlier approvals for hundreds of additional electric buses serving both BRTS and AMTS suggest Ahmedabad is positioning cleaner public transport as a central element of its future mobility strategy. Urban development specialists believe the combination of expanded green infrastructure and cleaner public transport reflects an increasingly integrated approach to city planning. While infrastructure investments can improve environmental performance and commuter experience, sustained maintenance, equitable access and long-term ecological management will ultimately determine whether these projects deliver lasting benefits for residents as Ahmedabad continues to expand.
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Ahmedabad Expands Green Spaces And Electric Transit
