Ahmedabad International Book Festival 2026 opens with 700 stalls, 125 publishers at Sabarmati Riverfront
Synopsis
Ahmedabad's Sabarmati Riverfront is now home to one of India's larger literary gatherings — 700 bookstalls, 125 publishers, 92 artisans and a slate of STEM and sculpture workshops, all backed by ₹182 crore in state budget support. The festival's opening also doubled as a policy moment: senior citizens across the AUDA area got free travel passes and two new AMTS bus routes were flagged off on the same stage.
Key Takeaways
The Ahmedabad International Book Festival 2026 opened on 24 October at the Sabarmati Riverfront , running until 1 November , with more than 700 bookstalls and over 125 publishers .
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the festival, jointly organised by the AMC and National Book Trust (NBT) .
The 2026-27 Gujarat Budget allocates ₹182 crore for education, libraries and Gujarati language promotion, plus ₹100 crore for a 'Namo Central Library' in Gandhinagar .
The CHHAAP Exhibition features traditional artworks by more than 92 artisans , reinterpreted by NIFT students.
A free-pass scheme for senior citizens in the AUDA area was launched, alongside two new AMTS bus routes — Thaltej-Shela and Vadaj-Palsana .
The Gujarati edition of 'Sardar Teja Singh Samundri: Life and Legacy' was released at the inauguration.
The Ahmedabad International Book Festival 2026 opened at the Sabarmati Riverfront on Saturday, 24 October, drawing together more than 700 bookstalls and over 125 publishers in what organisers are billing as a landmark expansion of the city's literary and cultural calendar. The festival, which runs until 1 November from 11 am to 10 pm, features programming spanning literature, science, creativity and children's education.
Inauguration and Key Announcements
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the festival, jointly organised by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and the National Book Trust (NBT), alongside the CHHAAP Exhibition hosted by the Union Ministry of Textiles. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu was also present at the ceremony.
The inauguration included the release of the Gujarati edition of 'Sardar Teja Singh Samundri: Life and Legacy', a book on the freedom fighter and pioneer of the Gurdwara Reform Movement. Patel described the translation as an opportunity to bring Samundri's contributions to a wider readership, emphasising the importance of acquainting younger generations with India's freedom struggle.
Government Backing and Budget Allocations
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Patel said the festival creates opportunities for the exchange of knowledge, literature and culture. He also noted that the event coincides with Prime Minister Narendra Modi completing 25 years in public service.
Patel recalled that Modi had launched the 'Vanche Gujarat' (Read Gujarat) reading campaign during his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, and that the AMC subsequently organised the first National Book Fair at the Sabarmati Riverfront in 2012 — an event that has since grown into an international festival. The 2026-27 Gujarat state Budget has allocated ₹182 crore for education, library development, cultural activities and the promotion of the Gujarati language. A further ₹100 crore has been earmarked for an advanced 'Namo Central Library' in Gandhinagar. Plans also include establishing libraries named after Bhagwan Birsa Munda in tribal areas, and constructing or modernising libraries at district and taluka levels.
Festival Programme and Highlights
The CHHAAP Exhibition running alongside the book festival showcases traditional artworks by more than 92 artisans from across the country, reinterpreted by students of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). Sessions on Gujarati literature, poetry, ghazals, music, book creation, writing and children's literature are scheduled throughout the festival's run.
Dome 1 houses a main stage, the Children's Pavilion and the Authors' Corner, while Dome 2 hosts the Gyan Ganga Writing Workshop and Vichar Manthan discussion forum. Children and students can participate in literary interactions, poetry recitations, LEGO, puzzle and STEM workshops designed to encourage scientific thinking. Notably, a sculpture workshop — being held for the first time — will teach children to create works using discarded materials and waste. An Innovation Wing will showcase products and technological applications from startups and young entrepreneurs.
Senior Citizens' Free Travel Pass and New Bus Routes
On the sidelines, Chief Minister Patel launched a free-pass scheme for senior citizens residing in the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) area, aimed at easing travel access. He also flagged off buses on two new Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS) routes — Thaltej-Shela and Vadaj-Palsana — alongside an additional bus, dedicating all three vehicles to public service.
Ahmedabad Mayor Hitesh Barot outlined the festival's full programme at the event. With the festival open for nine days and a diverse slate of activities, organisers expect strong footfall from across Gujarat and beyond through its close on 1 November 2026.
Point of View
Multi-dome cultural infrastructure event — a trajectory that mirrors the AMC's broader ambition to position Ahmedabad as a cultural capital alongside its Smart City credentials. The ₹182 crore budget allocation and the ₹100 crore Namo Central Library commitment are significant numbers, but the real measure will be sustained public access: whether these libraries reach tribal and taluka populations year-round, rather than generating headline figures on inauguration day. The bundling of a senior citizens' travel scheme and new bus routes with a book festival inauguration is a reminder that large civic events increasingly serve as convenient platforms for policy announcements — raising legitimate questions about whether either initiative gets the standalone scrutiny it deserves.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the Ahmedabad International Book Festival 2026?
The festival is being held at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad from 24 October to 1 November 2026, open daily from 11 am to 10 pm. It features more than 700 bookstalls and over 125 publishers.
Who inaugurated the Ahmedabad International Book Festival 2026?
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the festival, which is jointly organised by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and the National Book Trust (NBT). Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu was also present at the ceremony.
What is the free travel pass scheme for senior citizens announced at the festival?
Chief Minister Patel launched a free-pass scheme for senior citizens living in the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) area to ease travel access. Two new AMTS bus routes — Thaltej-Shela and Vadaj-Palsana — were also flagged off at the same event.
How much has Gujarat allocated for libraries and cultural activities in its 2026-27 budget?
The 2026-27 Gujarat state Budget has allocated ₹182 crore for education, library development, cultural activities and Gujarati language promotion. An additional ₹100 crore has been earmarked for an advanced 'Namo Central Library' in Gandhinagar.
What is the CHHAAP Exhibition at the book festival?
The CHHAAP Exhibition, organised by the Union Ministry of Textiles, showcases traditional artworks by more than 92 artisans from across India, reinterpreted by students of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). It runs alongside the main book festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront.
