Ahmedabad is rapidly climbing the skyline ladder, solidifying its reputation as Gujarat’s highrise capital. In a landmark urban development milestone, a residential complex on Science City Road has received its building-use certificate from the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), officially becoming the city’s first 100-metre-tall residential building.
This certification signals a broader trend in urban planning across Ahmedabad, where vertical growth is being actively encouraged by both state and city-level policies.
Western Ahmedabad Becomes the New Skyscraper Hub
Developers are especially bullish on the western corridors of Ahmedabad—particularly SG Road, Science City Road, and Bodakdev—as prime zones for vertical development. The Bodakdev area leads the race, with seven skyscraper plans already sanctioned, positioning it as a focal point for highrise construction in the city.
Notably, a commercial skyscraper standing 147.9 metres high on Sindhu Bhavan Road has been approved in Bodakdev, making it the tallest sanctioned building in Ahmedabad to date. This 34-floor project exemplifies the kind of vertical ambition developers are embracing.
Additionally, another commercial building plan proposing a height of 150 metres and over 45 floors has been submitted to the state government’s special technical committee for review.
Ahmedabad’s Vertical Surge: By the Numbers
As of now, AMC has approved 30 buildings with heights reaching 100 metres, including:
- 23 residential towers
- 7 commercial buildings
Five additional highrise proposals are currently under review. Meanwhile, the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (Auda) has sanctioned 8 more buildings over 100 metres, taking the combined total of approved 100-metre-plus buildings in Ahmedabad and Auda areas to 38.
In contrast, other cities in Gujarat are just beginning to explore the highrise trend:
- Surat: 2 buildings approaching 100 metres
- Gandhinagar: 2 buildings
- Vadodara: 1 building
Ahmedabad is clearly leading the way in terms of vertical growth and skyline transformation.
Actual Heights May Exceed Sanctioned Limits
It’s worth noting that the approved heights do not include additional structures such as:
- Stair cabins
- Water tanks
- Aviation warning lights
As a result, actual building heights may exceed sanctioned limits by 6 to 8 metres, adding to the city’s evolving skyline.
Policy Backbone: FSI and Regulatory Reforms
The rise of skyscrapers in Ahmedabad is closely linked to progressive urban planning reforms, especially the General Development Control Regulations (GDCR):
- In December 2014, the state government approved 5.4 FSI for Ashram Road to boost development of a Central Business District (CBD).
- The CBD zone includes 250.9 hectares from Usmanpura to Ellisbridge and 70.7 hectares from Gandhi Bridge to Dadhichi Bridge.
- Despite the incentives, only 10 buildings with 22 floors have been approved in this area over the past decade, indicating slower-than-expected uptake.
Further FSI incentives were introduced for land within a 200-metre radius of Metro and BRTS routes, with an FSI of 4, promoting transit-oriented development.
In 2017, a common GDCR was implemented across major cities, with amendments in 2018, allowing FSI of 3 to 4, depending on road width. Then, in May 2021, a major policy reform allowed construction of buildings 100 metres to 150 metres or higher in five major cities including Ahmedabad, after a public consultation process.
Since 2022, approvals for highrises above 100 metres have steadily increased, marking the start of a new urban chapter for the city.
