Ahmedabad is poised to make a significant leap in its quest to host the 2036 Olympic Games with the allocation of a substantial 1 lakh square metres of land for a new sports infrastructure project. This plot, situated within the high-profile TP Scheme 204 off SG Road, has been designated by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) under the ‘social infrastructure’ category. This strategic decision underscores the city’s commitment to enhancing its sports facilities and boosting its bid for the prestigious global sporting event.
The 1 lakh square metre plot, positioned between SG Road, Mumatpura Road, and SP Ring Road, surpasses the 79,500 square metre plot allocated for the Olympic Sports Complex currently under development in Naranpura. The recent decision by AMC’s town planning committee, which approved the state’s recommendations to reduce land allocations for owners by 40%, has resulted in this land being repurposed from its original designation for parks and gardens to sports development.
A senior AMC official highlighted that the initial plan for TP Scheme 204 included two plots of equal size designated for recreational purposes. However, in light of Ahmedabad’s ambition to host the 2036 Olympics, the AMC has revised its strategy to focus on sports infrastructure. This move reflects a broader vision of transforming the city into a premier destination for international sporting events. The newly earmarked land will benefit residents from the surrounding areas, including Ambli, Ghuma, Jodhpur, Shela, Vejalpur, Prahladnagar, Sarkhej, Makarba, and others. This development is part of a larger effort by the AMC to enhance the city’s sports and recreational facilities, furthering its objective to secure the Olympic Games.
TP Scheme 204 has been under scrutiny due to alleged irregularities favouring high-profile landowners. The scheme, initially managed by the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) in 2007, faced issues related to ‘samjhauti karar’ agreements which allowed certain landowners to bypass deductions by using alternative plots. This led to the state government halting development permissions in 2017 and setting up a committee to address these irregularities and revise the plan. With this substantial land allocation, Ahmedabad is positioning itself as a serious contender for hosting the 2036 Olympics, promising to elevate its infrastructure and sporting facilities to international standards.
