GANDHINAGAR: The long-awaited draft development plan for Ahmedabad, put together by the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (Auda), is projected to be released in June, shortly after the local body elections.
According to key sources involved in the process, substantial revisions are anticipated in the new draft development plan (DP), which will also encompass additional areas within the urban development authority’s jurisdiction.
“The new DP will shift focus from a standard 10-year plan to a vision extending to 2041 and 2047, aimed at significantly enhancing the city’s infrastructure, particularly as Ahmedabad is set to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and has bid for the Olympic Games in 2036,” stated government insiders.
Moreover, sources revealed that the government intends to address air pollution in Ahmedabad before the Commonwealth Games. “Existing industrial districts within the city may be incentivized to relocate outside city boundaries, with attractive offers for those willing to move,” they added.
It’s also suggested that the forthcoming DP may deregulate existing agricultural and green zones to facilitate commercial, residential, and non-industrial developments. New green zones are expected to be introduced in areas designated for expansion within Auda limits, including outgrowth zones in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Mehsana districts. Additionally, planning for the North Gujarat Special Economic Region (SER) is to be incorporated into Ahmedabad’s new DP,” sources indicated.
The draft for the new development plan must be completed before the current 10-year plan expires. Auda has yet to finalize the new draft, even though the existing plan has already exceeded its term by a year.
Sources disclosed that Auda is moving away from the traditional 10-year planning framework, opting for a 20-year DP that extends to 2041, motivated primarily by the prospect of hosting the 2036 Olympics in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.
