Ahmedabad: In a major step toward turning Ahmedabad into a “Global Green City,” the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has launched an innovative initiative to develop modern hi-tech nurseries under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

The project aims to significantly enhance the city’s green cover while ensuring there is no additional financial burden on the municipal exchequer.

Financial Gains with Zero Investment for AMC

A key highlight of the initiative is that AMC will receive substantial benefits without making any capital investment. The major provisions of the project include:

Free Supply of Plants: AMC will receive 25% of the total annual plant production (in lakhs) from the nursery free of cost. These plants will be used for plantations in public gardens, road dividers, and other municipal plots.

No Capital or Maintenance Expenditure: All nursery infrastructure will be developed by the PPP partner. The partner will also bear the costs of seeds, fertilizers, plant protection chemicals, electricity, and water.

Staffing Responsibility: The PPP partner will appoint and pay for gardeners, supervisors, and technical experts, ensuring zero staffing costs for AMC.

Zero Financial Risk: In case of damage or loss of plants, the financial liability will rest entirely with the PPP partner, making the project risk-free for the corporation.

Technology-Enabled ‘Smart Nurseries’

The nurseries will operate as advanced, technology-driven facilities rather than traditional setups. Key features include:

• Soil moisture and climate monitoring systems

• Automated irrigation systems

• Digital inventory management and online sales portals

• Subscription-based plant delivery services

Registered under the Startup Scheme, the project is also expected to address plant shortages during large-scale plantation drives such as “Mission Million Trees” and ensure timely supply during city-wide green campaigns.

Benefits for Citizens and the Local Economy

Beyond institutional advantages, the initiative is expected to deliver direct benefits to citizens and boost local employment:

Subsidized Plants for Residents: High-quality plants will be made available to citizens at subsidized rates.

Employment Generation: The project will create employment opportunities for gardeners and individuals associated with the horticulture and agricultural sectors.

Enhanced Market Availability: The remaining nursery stock will be sold in the open market, improving plant availability for housing societies, private gardens, and landscaping projects.

The broader policy framework of the project stems from a formal proposal moved in the Amdavad Municipal Corporation by Councillor Harshaben Prakashkumar Gurjar, with support from Sangeetaben Bharatbhai Korat.

The proposal recommends the allotment of approximately 8,821–9,000 sq. m. of land under TP Scheme No. 37 (Thaltej), Final Plot No. 206, to Freshbloom Nursery LLP, a Startup India-recognised enterprise, for setting up a hi-tech smart nursery under the PPP model.

As per the proposal:

• The land would be allotted for 10 years, extendable by another 10 years subject to satisfactory performance and mutual consent.

• The private partner would bear the entire cost of infrastructure development, operations, maintenance, and utilities.

The proposal lays the administrative foundation for the city’s larger objective of expanding green infrastructure through financially sustainable, technology-driven nursery development. DeshGujarat