The Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) has announced Rs 1,705.42 crore general budget for the fiscal year 2023-24. This budget marks a historic moment for AUDA, as it surpasses the Rs 1,700 crore threshold for the first time, with a keen focus on enhancing infrastructure across the region.
The budget takes into account 10 flyovers on the SP Ring Road and drinking water for 55 villages.
Reflecting AUDA’s strategic focus on improving infrastructure, water supply, and housing, AUDA is preparing a 20-year plan for Ahmedabad’s infrastructure, which will address key urban development challenges, including environmental sustainability.
It has announced 10 new flyovers at a cost of Rs 100 crore. Along with this, there will be a 7.28 km VIP road from Shela to Sanskardham built at a cost of Rs 250 crore. To enhance connectivity across key junctions in the area, AUDA has been working on three underpasses at Kamod junction, Mumatpura crossing and at Science City.
Rs 240 crore, is allocated to ensure drinking water supply to 55 villages, under the Jal Jivan Mission and includes the construction of trunk main lines, underground sumps, pump houses, and water treatment plants. The targeted areas for this project include Telav, Jaspur, Bagodara, and Kadadara Head Works. The water supply initiative extends to Ghuma, Singarwa, Shela, Sanathal, Makarba, Manipur-Godhavi TPO, and Shela villages, with an allocated Rs 86 crore.
Furthermore, the budget addresses drainage, stormwater management, and sewage treatment, including the repair of existing facilities and the construction of new lines and plants, from Vaishnavdevi to Ognaj Circle and at TP schemes of Ognaj, Santej, Rakanpur with investments totalling over Rs 33.50 crore. Repair works of the existing STP of 20.5 MLD at Sanand have also been planned.
Ongoing housing projects including LIG-type housing in Khodiyar and Aslali, 1,120 WES-II housing at Zundal, and 756 EWS type housing at Sanand, which are currently underway for a cost of Rs 81.40 crore. The budget also includes Rs 50 crore for the development of various lakes, including Gadhia Lake at Sanand, Rancharda Lake, Unawa Lake, and Jetalpur Lake promoting community well-being.
A significant portion of the budget, Rs 300 crore, will be financed through a loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), with a further Rs 800 crore expected from the sale of plots.
The plots owned by AUDA that are up for sale have been fixed for Rs 1,500 crore. The ADB has sanctioned a total loan of Rs 1,200 crore which will be taken in phases.
