Ahmedabad: Despite an annual budget of over ₹15,000 crore, several public gardens in Ahmedabad continue to suffer from poor surveillance and lighting. Of the city’s 285 gardens, many either lack CCTV cameras or have non-functional systems, exposing them to security risks.
Recreation Committee Chairman Jayesh Trivedi admitted that a list of such gardens was submitted to the Garden Department two months ago, but no update has been provided yet. Lighting is another concern—while some gardens linked to municipal power stay lit all night, others plunge into darkness after 10 pm.
The issue resurfaced during a committee meeting on Monday, where a BJP corporator flagged anti-social activities at Ambedkarnagar Garden in Bapunagar. The committee directed officials to survey affected gardens citywide, improve fencing, and ensure functioning CCTV and lights.
Most gardens under the AMC are managed by a cooperative body on a 24-year maintenance contract, which is responsible for lights, security, and facilities. However, civic lapses continue to draw criticism over the city’s ‘Smart City’ claims.