NE NEWS SERVICE
AHMEDABAD, FEB 7
Eyeing the poll pie, the Standing Committee of the BJP-ruled Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation on Thursday proposed a ‘please-all’ budget for Rs 9,685 crore. Civic chief Vijay Nehra had submitted a draft budget of Rs 8,900 crore for the year 2020-21 in January.
The Standing Committee budget was hiked by Rs 777 crore taking it to Rs 9,685 crore.
Aiming to ease the burden of citizens, the Standing Committee has dropped the proposed hike in property tax, and for a smooth ride in the city, bumpy roads will get a facelift, pollution and parking problems will be resolved.
AMC also plans to start a radio station that will be used to give information regarding traffic, AMC schemes, and warn residents about natural calamities or if there is flooding in areas. It will also relay music and cultural programmes and discussions on civic issues.
AMC chief Vijay Nehra had submitted a draft budget of Rs 8,900 crore for year 20-21 in the Standing Committee of Gujarat’s largest local urban body in January.
The biggest relief for people is that the hike on property tax proposed in AMC draft budget for 2020-21 in January has been removed. If implemented, it would have put an additional burden of Rs 244 crore on citizens. The budget, however, has retained tax of 3 per cent on vehicles that cost more than Rs 15 lakh.
Most Amdavadis struggle with lack of parking space in their societies. Taking this into consideration, the budget proposes to introduce a parking policy to encourage societies to make modular parking to reduce parking problems. Where required, AMC also plans to make modular parking in small plots that it owns.
The popularity of CG Road development has prompted AMC to replicate the idea on the stretch from Stadium to Golden Triangle. Model roads will also be created from AEC Circle to Vivekanand Circle and Vivekanand Circle to Bhuyangdev and the road going through Ankur Junction.
The budget also plans to develop Gujari Bazaar, the traditional Sunday flea market, on the riverfront by making it a daily affair.
There are plans to renovate Premabhai Hall, and build a city square with a multi-colour foundation from Bhadra to Teen Darwaza.
To mark 550th Guru Nanak Jayanti, the area near Odhav gurudwara will be given a facelift.
To address issue of rising pollution, there is a proposal to lay down air purifier machines worth Rs 15 crore at 500 spots while 10 boards to record Air Quality Index will be put by Safar.
To make away with Jaldhara water park, which has constantly been embroiled in controversies due to one reason or another, the Standing Committee has proposed a multi-activity entertainment centre with a 12D theatre.
There are also proposals to build community halls in Ranip and Chandkheda.
To ensure connectivity to outskirts of the city, AMC also plans to introduce 300 midibuses.
“They have removed property tax but retained the tax imposed on vehicles. The budget is an illusion of numbers. Had it been drawn up on realistic factors, the city would have seen real development,” said Dinesh Sharma, Leader of Opposition in AMC.
