AMC budget 2025-26 to emphasise on climate action

The AMC administration has decided to build the 2025-26 annual corporation budget around the Climate Action Plan, with the re-introduction of rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and other environment-related issues.

The budget will focus on water treatment plants, rain water harvesting, ground water recharge, urban green, storm water management, use of renewable energy, biomethanation plant, and to reduce green house emission by controlling the consumption of electricity, fuel, gas etc. under the Climate Action Plan.

Challenges lie ahead

The air quality index has been a constant challenge for the city over the years.

The introduction of Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) in 2008-09 was a move to prompt people to use public transport instead of private vehicles. However, BRTS and Amdavad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS), both are loss making units of corporation now.

The construction of wall-to-wall roads in the city to reduce air pollution has not fared well either, as it has caused flooding in those areas.

AMC had also appealed the housing societies earlier, to build percolating wells for rainwater harvesting, however, there has not been a positive response to that.

On top of that, the corporation received 1.35 lakh complaints in just four months regarding sewage and drainage issues.

The Gujarat High Court has reprimanded the AMC several times on the issue of releasing polluted water into the Sabarmati River.

Upgradation works have been initiated after the Gujarat High Court directed the AMC and the ruling party on the issue of sewage treatment plants of the city not working properly.