The city is set to get its own version of famous city squares like New York City’s Washington Square Park or Marseille’s Place Jean-Jaures. Municipal Commissioner M. Thennarasan stated this in the draft budget of Rs 10,801 crore presented before the standing committee.
Ahmedabad’s city square will be built on Sindhu Bhavan Road, flanked by a 125-meter-high tower with amphitheaters, pedestrian plazas, and a fountain on either side, is planned.
Thennarasan said the city’s proposed budget would be the biggest ever. This was an election year, so he did not propose raising taxes.
The work of extending the Sabarmati riverfront from Indira Bridge to the Narmada canal will be a major focus in the budget. The MC is planning underpass surveys at major SG Road intersections, a major move that will ease the hassles of commuters. The ACM will appoint a consultant to plan the city’s future in view of the 2036 Olympics announced this year.
The third phase of the Sabarmati Riverfront is complete, which will be extended 4.5 km from Indira Bridge to the Narmada Canal at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore. It promises to become a place of entertainment and leisure. This year, Sarkesh inaugurated a botanical garden around the Okaaf Lake, drainage lines, a sewage pumping station, a community hall, the iconic road being built between Shantipura Circle and Sanand Square, and a new swimming pool.
The budget also proposes setting up an AI unit to handle the city’s data woes. Thennarasan said AI-driven technologies such as speech-to-text and real-time communication will streamline meetings and communications.
The availability of AI will also increase as data from mobile phones, drones, and CCTVs will be collected to improve civic services, monitor security, and optimize property tax collection. A special incubation center will be set up to promote innovation in the city.
The budget also states that the city will become a net zero by 2070. Work is underway on a 50 MW renewable energy plant, which will generate 30 MW solar power and 20 MW wind power. The Net Zero Cell is proposed to create a climate resilience strategy in the budget with a seed fund of Rs 120 crore.
Four pedestrian overbridges will be constructed soon: near Star Bazaar, between Nehrunagar and Shivranjini Crossing, at Narol junction, and from the airport to Indira Bridge Circle.
