Ahmedabad: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today released its manifesto, “Sankalp Patra 2026,” for the upcoming Municipal Corporation elections. The manifesto is aimed at the development of Ahmedabad under the slogan “Jan Samarthan to BJP, to Development.”

Urban Infrastructure and Mobility

One of the key announcements in the manifesto is the further expansion of the Sabarmati Riverfront, which is planned to extend from Indira Bridge towards GIFT City.

To tackle urban congestion, the BJP has pledged the construction of 17 new bridges, including the expansion of Subhash Bridge to eight lanes, along with the implementation of an AI-driven traffic management system for real-time data analysis.

Public transportation is set for a major green overhaul, with an aim to introduce 3,000 electric buses by 2030 and develop multi-modal transport hubs.

Commitment to Sustainability and Green Energy

The manifesto emphasizes environmental sustainability, aiming to increase the city’s green cover from 12.5% to 18% through new garden projects and urban plantations.

It also states that currently around 43% of the city’s energy is generated from renewable sources. By 2031, Ahmedabad aims to produce 100% of its energy through solar power, resulting in annual savings of ₹3,000 crore. Additionally, floating solar systems will be installed on lakes.

Waste management will also see technological upgrades, including a plant to produce CNG from kitchen waste and the use of smart aerators to purify local water bodies.

Healthcare and Social Welfare Initiatives

In a push for social security, the Sankalp Patra promises free health check-ups and home-visit diagnostics for senior citizens above 70 years of age. The city’s healthcare infrastructure will be strengthened by increasing the number of health centres to over 100 and enhancing specialized care for cervical and oral cancer.

For the youth, the manifesto envisions converting all municipal schools into English-medium “Smart Schools” equipped with AI-based education to ensure equal opportunities.

Global Ambitions, Employment, and Heritage

With an eye on the international stage, the BJP has highlighted Ahmedabad’s readiness to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, promising a mini sports complex in every zone of the city.

To boost the local economy, the party plans to develop “Ahmedabad Haats” in eastern areas to support artisans and organize an annual Startup Festival to encourage innovation.

Simultaneously, the party remains committed to preserving the city’s heritage, with plans to beautify heritage gates and develop new “Heritage Walks” to strengthen Ahmedabad’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage City.

Other Key Highlights

• A target to make Ahmedabad slum-free by constructing 50,000 new housing units
• Reserving 33% of municipal recruitment for women and providing cervical cancer vaccines for girls
• Free “Ahmedabad Darshan” tours and pilgrimage travel for senior citizens
• Advanced fire-fighting capabilities, including the use of drones for high-rise buildings
• Implementation of geo-tagging for all municipal projects to ensure transparency and real-time monitoring

Meanwhile, it is noteworthy that the long-standing public demand to rename Ahmedabad as Karnavati has not been included in this manifesto. Moreover, several announcements align with the recent AMC budget, such as the expansion of the riverfront, floating solar plants, and bridge projects. DeshGujarat