Ahmedabad: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of various development projects worth approximately ₹405 crore in Ahmedabad. The projects, undertaken by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA), and Roads and Buildings Department, focus on urban development, environmental conservation, public transport and citizen facilities.
The event was held at Science City, Ahmedabad, in the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Minister of State for Urban Development Darshana Vaghela and other senior officials.
During the programme, Amit Shah also led a massive plantation drive under the AMC’s “Mission Five Million Trees” campaign, inaugurated 101 Oxygen Parks, and flagged off 155 new AC Electric BRTS and AMTS buses.
Amit Shah Leads Plantation of 1.25 Crore Trees Under Mission Five Million Trees
Union Minister Amit Shah led the plantation of around 1.25 crore trees as part of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s Mission Five Million Trees campaign.
Under the initiative, a record 1,25,93,513 trees were planted in a single day across the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, creating a new milestone in environmental conservation.
Amit Shah praised the efforts of AMC officials, organisations and citizens for achieving this ambitious target within just three months.
He said the plantation campaign has become a major people’s movement (Jan Abhiyan) aimed at protecting the environment and ensuring a sustainable future.
‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ Campaign Becomes a People’s Movement
Amit Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign has evolved into a nationwide movement for environmental protection.
He highlighted that:
- 1,37,812 citizens from Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency have pledged to plant five trees each in their residential societies.
- 28,544 citizens from other Ahmedabad parliamentary constituencies have also taken the same pledge.
The Home Minister recalled Prime Minister Modi’s vision of “Van Sathe Jan and Prakruti Sathe Pragati”, promoting harmony between nature conservation and development.
He said tree species such as Goras Ambli, Sheesham, Banyan and Peepal have been selected for plantation due to their long lifespan of more than 100 years.
Green Cover Target Set to Increase in Gandhinagar Constituency
Amit Shah announced his resolve to increase the green cover of the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency from 11.23% to 20%.
He said increasing tree cover is essential to reduce carbon emissions, control pollution and protect the planet for future generations.
He appealed to citizens to:
- Plant trees in every corner of residential societies
- Install solar rooftops in homes
- Participate actively in environmental conservation
According to him, collective public participation is necessary to keep the Earth livable for future generations.
101 Oxygen Parks Inaugurated Across Gandhinagar Lok Sabha Constituency
As part of the environmental development initiatives, Amit Shah inaugurated 101 Oxygen Parks across the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency.
With the addition of 61 new Oxygen Parks, the constituency now has a total of 73 Oxygen Parks.
These green spaces are aimed at:
- Improving air quality
- Increasing urban green cover
- Reducing pollution
- Providing healthier public spaces
An e-book containing details of all Oxygen Parks, including tree numbers and locations, was also launched to help citizens access information easily.
Ahmedabad Gets 155 New AC Electric BRTS and AMTS Buses
To promote sustainable transportation, Amit Shah inaugurated 155 new air-conditioned electric buses, including:
- 80 Electric BRTS buses
- 75 Electric AMTS buses
The initiative aims to reduce pollution and provide citizens with modern, comfortable and eco-friendly public transport.
With the addition of these buses, Ahmedabad BRTS has moved towards becoming the country’s only completely pollution-free bus service.
Development Projects Worth ₹28,492 Crore Completed in Gandhinagar Constituency
Highlighting the development journey of the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, Amit Shah said that projects worth ₹28,492 crore have been completed so far.
He said continuous infrastructure development has improved public facilities and enhanced the ease of living for citizens.
The newly inaugurated and foundation stone-laid projects include:
- Urban development works
- Green mobility projects
- Environmental conservation initiatives
- Public utility infrastructure
Gujarat Has Planted Over 10.96 Crore Trees Under Green Campaign
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said the state is transforming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of development along with environmental conservation into reality.
He informed that under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0” campaign, more than 10.96 crore trees have been planted across Gujarat.
He also highlighted that:
- More than 14,000 trees have been planted in around 82 Namo Vans
- Oxygen Parks are being developed in urban areas
- Green cover across cities is increasing significantly
Gujarat Focuses on Development Along With Environmental Conservation
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said Prime Minister Modi has given the country a new direction by promoting development while protecting nature.
He highlighted several environmental initiatives, including:
- Catch the Rain campaign for groundwater recharge
- Construction of 75 Amrit Sarovars in every district
- Promotion of water and electricity conservation
He said environmental protection should remain a priority in every sector of development.
MoUs Signed to Create ‘Hariyali Lok Sabha’ in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar
During the programme, Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with several organisations for tree plantation and maintenance for three years.
The organisations include:
- ITC India Ltd.
- Vishwanath Realtors
- Association of Automobile Dealers
- Sheetal Infrastructure
- IFFCO
- GUDA
The initiative aims to transform Ahmedabad city and the entire Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency into a “Hariyali Lok Sabha”.
Plantation Drives Held at Multiple Locations in Ahmedabad
Tree plantation activities were conducted at several locations, including:
- Gota Godhavi Canal
- Bhadaj
- Savannah Party Plot
- Sarkhej
- NDDB Plot at Vadaj
The plantation drive witnessed participation from public representatives, government officials, civic body members and citizens.
Focus on Making Ahmedabad a Cleaner and Greener City
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel appealed to citizens to work collectively towards achieving Prime Minister Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
He said the government’s objective is to make Ahmedabad a cleaner, healthier and greener metropolitan city while ensuring sustainable development.
The event was attended by Gujarat BJP President and MLA Jagdish Vishwakarma, MPs, MLAs, IFFCO Chairman Dilip Sanghani, State Chief Secretary M.K. Das, AMC Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani, Mayor Hitesh Barot, civic officials and thousands of citizens.
