Thiruvananthapuram to Adopt Ahmedabad Model for Urban Development

Thiruvananthapuram, November 12 (Daily Kiran) : The Thiruvananthapuram municipal corporation, led by the BJP, has decided to leverage Ahmedabad’s urban development model to enhance the growth of Kerala’s capital. This initiative aims to implement Gujarat’s approach to urban administration in Thiruvananthapuram.

The proposed partnership between Thiruvananthapuram and Ahmedabad will function under the “Twin City” initiative. This decision comes as the BJP has recently ended a nearly 45-year reign of the CPI(M)-led LDF in the municipal corporation. VV Rajesh assumed the role of mayor in December of last year.

The primary goal of this collaboration is to benefit from Ahmedabad’s expertise in urban administration, waste management, infrastructure development, and resource mobilization. The state government has approved this collaborative framework, and the municipal corporation is now seeking council permission to move forward.

Both cities will work together on waste management, road development, technology exchange, and funding for major infrastructure projects. One of the key aspects of this initiative is exploring the possibility of municipal bonds for resource mobilization.

Ahmedabad has successfully utilized this financial model for its large-scale urban development projects. Initially, efforts will focus on cleaning and revitalizing five major water bodies in the capital: Parvati Puthanar, Karmana River, Amayizhanchan Thodu, Killiyar, and Akkulam Lake.

The municipal corporation also aims to employ Ahmedabad’s methodologies for scientific waste processing, which includes setting up treatment plants and establishing waste-to-energy facilities.

This partnership will encompass traffic management, road infrastructure, e-governance, and administrative processes. Officials from both cities will exchange technical expertise and participate in training programs.

This collaboration follows Mayor Rajesh’s recent visit to Ahmedabad, where he studied urban development initiatives, including the Sabarmati Riverfront, waste management facilities, and major infrastructure projects.

During this visit, an eight-member delegation led by Mayor Rajesh engaged in discussions with Ahmedabad’s Mayor Hitesh Barot and senior officials. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between the two cities.

For the BJP, this initiative represents an opportunity to showcase its development model in Thiruvananthapuram, marking its first significant success in urban administration. The effectiveness of implementing Ahmedabad’s experiences in Thiruvananthapuram will depend on funding, execution, and collaboration among all stakeholders.