The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is preparing a broad strategy to generate additional non-tax income by monetising underutilised civic assets, including public gardens, lakes, community facilities, schools and dedicated transport infrastructure. The proposed measures signal a shift towards diversifying municipal revenue sources as cities seek sustainable financing models to support expanding urban infrastructure and public services.
According to officials familiar with the proposal, the civic body is evaluating multiple avenues for urban asset monetisation. These include permitting amusement parks, recreational attractions or food courts on selected land parcels within city gardens and around lakes, outsourcing the management of community halls and party plots to private operators, renting school buildings during non-teaching hours and allowing private bus operators to use Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) corridors under defined operational conditions. The proposals reflect a growing trend among urban local bodies to maximise the economic value of publicly owned assets without increasing the burden of property taxes or user charges. Municipal finance experts note that many civic assets remain underutilised for significant periods despite requiring continuous maintenance and operational expenditure. If implemented, leasing selected spaces for commercial activities could generate recurring revenue that may be redirected towards park maintenance, lake conservation, civic amenities and urban infrastructure upgrades. However, urban planners emphasise that commercial activity within green spaces should be carefully regulated to preserve ecological functions, public accessibility and the recreational character of these areas.
The proposal to rent government school buildings outside academic hours also aligns with broader efforts to improve public asset utilisation. Community training programmes, examinations, skill development initiatives and social events could potentially make use of these facilities during evenings or holidays, creating an additional income stream while increasing public access to existing infrastructure. Similarly, handing over the management of community halls and party plots to specialised private agencies could improve operational efficiency, maintenance standards and digital booking systems, although governance experts caution that transparent contracts and performance monitoring will be essential to safeguard public interest. Another significant proposal under consideration involves permitting private buses to operate on dedicated BRTS corridors. Transport specialists believe such a move could improve utilisation of existing transport infrastructure, provided priority for public transit is maintained and corridor capacity is managed carefully. Any integration would require operational safeguards to ensure that faster bus movement does not compromise the efficiency of Ahmedabad’s mass transit network.
Urban economists describe urban asset monetisation as an increasingly important tool for financially constrained municipal bodies, particularly as cities invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, mobility systems and public amenities. Nevertheless, they argue that monetisation should complement, rather than replace, long-term public investment and should be guided by transparent planning, environmental safeguards and citizen participation. The proposals are currently under consideration, with further policy decisions expected before implementation. Their eventual success will depend on balancing financial sustainability with the preservation of inclusive public spaces, efficient urban mobility and equitable access to civic infrastructure.
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