Ahmedabad, Feb 4 (NationPress) - Emphasizing significant advancements in infrastructure, mobility, environmental sustainability, and sports facilities in preparation for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) unveiled its Draft Budget for 2026-27, amounting to a total of Rs 17,018 crore.

The proposed budget anticipates a revenue expenditure of Rs 7,150 crore and a capital expenditure of Rs 9,868 crore. During the presentation, Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani indicated that no new taxes are being suggested. "The two percent annual tax increase, previously included in the budget two years ago, will persist automatically without any further hikes," he explained.

A major focus of the budget is on urban transport and road infrastructure, with Rs 1,000 crore allocated for elevated corridors linking Bopal Ring Road to Ghuma, as well as Nehrunagar, Shivranjani, and Satellite Ramdevnagar to ISKCON.

Additionally, it outlines five railway overbridges at a cost of Rs 775 crore, three flyovers amounting to Rs 225 crore, and renovations of Subhash Bridge costing Rs 272 crore.

Other significant allocations include Rs 660 crore for the North-South corridor from Nana Chiloda to Sanathal, Rs 600 crore for SG Highway iconic development, Rs 865 crore for precinct development, and Rs 700 crore for road enhancements covering approximately 200 km.

Public transport expansion is a highlight, proposing the introduction of 3,000 electric buses under AMTS and BRTS. Additionally, four multimodal transport hubs at key highway-linked sites have been proposed with an allocation of Rs 980 crore, alongside a significant bus port on the Outer Ring Road costing Rs 630 crore.

Funds are also designated for adaptive traffic control systems, renovations of BRTS stations, smart bus shelters, integrated ticketing systems, electric charging infrastructure, new bus depots, and the creation of a Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority.

In the realm of environmental and climate resilience, the budget includes provisions for water supply and wastewater projects, which encompass rehabilitation works, new water distribution stations, sewage treatment plants, and pumping stations.

Projects aimed at flood mitigation have been allocated Rs 472.71 crore, alongside provisions for lakefront development, redeveloping lakes, and interlinking projects. Additionally, renewable energy initiatives, electric vehicle transition projects, smart street lighting, and a wire-free city program have been suggested.

The draft budget also proposes hefty investments in sports and social infrastructure, with Rs 430.84 crore earmarked for overall sports city development.

This investment includes Rs 211.88 crore for the construction of 11 new sports complexes across the city and Rs 110.96 crore for supporting facilities such as five gyms, three swimming pools, and 35 playgrounds.

In the social sphere, the AMC has allocated Rs 105 crore for four new community health centers and the upgrade of three existing facilities, in addition to Rs 4 crore for the Bodakdev Urban Health Centre. Fire and emergency services have been granted Rs 20 crore for the construction of one model fire station and 14 new fire stations, with Rs 150 crore set aside for the acquisition of firefighting equipment and Rs 1.5 crore for fire motorcycles.

Housing initiatives targeting slum rehabilitation have received Rs 1,440 crore for the creation of over 50,000 housing units.

In the education and welfare sector, the budget allocates Rs 90 crore for 36 new schools, Rs 17 crore for 100 new anganwadis, Rs 3 crore for 50 smart anganwadis, and Rs 6 crore for 25 pink toilets, along with Rs 8.75 crore for women-focused facilities, including a women skill development bhavan and gymnasium.

For the Sabarmati Riverfront, the AMC has made various allocations aimed at expanding and enhancing the riverfront as a cultural and tourism hub.

An amount of Rs 100 crore has been set aside for Phase III of the riverfront project, extending development from Indira Bridge to the Narmada Canal.

The budget also provides Rs 853 crore for cultural infrastructure, upgraded promenades, gardens, and tourism-oriented facilities along both banks of the river.

Another Rs 176 crore has been allocated for the development of roads, upper promenades, and supporting infrastructure along a 10 km stretch on both the eastern and western banks.

Riverside eateries and food courts between Nehru Bridge and Ellis Bridge have been allocated Rs 100 crore. Furthermore, Rs 258 crore has been proposed for an exhibition-cum-convention centre near Tagore Hall Plaza, while Rs 1 crore has been designated for a feasibility study of a potential water metro.

Green and recreational initiatives along the riverfront comprise Rs 56 crore for a tropical forest project, Rs 50 crore for a musical fountain, and Rs 12 crore for the development of the longest linear garden.

Officials have stated that the proposed allocations aim to address Ahmedabad’s growing urban needs while enhancing public infrastructure, recreational areas, and civic amenities throughout the city.