More than eight months after the Air India Flight 171 tragedy shook Ahmedabad, the city’s civic body has formally cleared expenses incurred during the massive rescue and recovery operation.
At its meeting on Thursday, the Standing Committee of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) granted approval for bills amounting to Rs.16,74,405 spent on refreshments for personnel deployed after the June 12, 2025 crash.
The teams had been engaged in searching for bodies and removing debris at four different locations, including the crash site at BJ Medical College.
According to the agenda note, officers, municipal staff and volunteers from social organisations were provided tea, snacks, water bottles, Amul milk and biscuits during the operation. Since the arrangements had already been made in the immediate aftermath of the crash, the committee’s nod was an ex post facto approval of the expenditure.
Push For Renewable Energy
Beyond the crash-related decision, the committee meeting largely revolved around the corporation’s long-term energy strategy. Standing Committee Chairman Devang Dani highlighted the civic body’s growing dependence on renewable sources to cut electricity costs.
The AMC currently spends around Rs.350 crore annually on power. Dani said 43 per cent of the corporation’s energy consumption now comes from renewable sources, with solar panels already installed across all AMC buildings.
The committee has also approved collaboration with a state government agency to set up floating solar panels at Kankaria Lake, Sabarmati Riverfront and Lambha Lake. Tenders are being readied for the project, which aims to help the civic body transition entirely to renewable energy and move towards a net-zero target by 2028. Dani claimed that over time, the shift could translate into electricity savings worth Rs.3,000 crore.
Tourism And Infrastructure Boost
In parallel, the Standing Committee and the Heritage Committee have cleared budgets for development work at key tourist destinations in the city. Projects are planned for Kankaria Lake, Atal Bridge, Sabarmati Riverfront, Jagannath Temple and Swaminarayan Temple, with funding approved by the state government.
Kankaria Lakefront is set to see several new additions. Dani said new rides will be introduced, while a ₹10 crore candy museum has been sanctioned and is expected to be completed within a year. A separate Rs.5.53 crore proposal for a light-and-musical multimedia fountain at the lakefront has also received approval.
Summer Preparedness
With temperatures already climbing, the AMC has also focused on public amenities. Dani said 54 of the city’s 60 fountains will soon be functional, while repairs to the remaining six are nearing completion.
Additionally, arrangements have been made to provide cold drinking water at bus stops from March 15, benefiting nearly six lakh daily commuters who use AMTS and BRTS services.
The meeting thus combined retrospective approval for emergency spending with forward-looking decisions aimed at sustainability, tourism development and public convenience.
Also Read: Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation Makes History with Green Bond Listing on BSE https://www.vibesofindia.com/ahmedabad-municipal-corporation-makes-history-with-green-bond-listing-on-bse/
