How has Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation’s (GMC) outlook expanded over the years?
After becoming a municipal corporation, the GMC was responsible only for sanitation, but after getting elected, we (GMC) made an effective presentation to the state government to take over other areas after which we were given the responsibility of developing some gardens, 62 anganwadis and all the internal roads except the main roads. Many other services are being provided by state government institutions, which we are planning to take up gradually.
How do you plan to do that?
At a recent meeting, a decision was taken to give the responsibility of drainage to GMC. But, in the current situation, drainage of GMC is being maintained by the Capital Project division (of the Gujarat government) so it has been decided that our men work with them (Capital Project staff) for some time to get aware of the network and then we take over the responsibility. Secondly, we are planning to take up the work of street light operation and maintenance.
But, we do not have enough employees (to take up various responsibilities). So, we are in the process of hiring. Because of the dearth of staff, we are not taking up responsibilities for various services maintained by the state government immediately. But, we are gradually planning to take up operation and maintenance of all the basic amenities of Gandhinagar city.
What are the priority areas of your budget?
The focus of the last budget of Rs 944 crore is the development of the newly incorporated villages. Because of the real estate development – residential and commercial, migration from outside is very fast and to cater to them we need to provide clean drinking water and drainage facilities in newly merged areas as early as possible. Apart from that, we are bringing facilities in the old Gandhinagar like developing ponds, roads, and gardens.
What is the local transport situation in Gandhinagar?
We had given responsibility of public transport to a private firm. It is our revenue-earning model. We take premium from them. We decide the basic rates and the provision of buses to be put in service and they cover the entire city. In fact, we have taken approval from the state government to provide the service within 15 km outside Gandhinagar city as well.
What are the main sources of income for GMC?
We spend the government grants for various projects on Capital expenditure. Secondly, the income from tax, town planning, rent on plots, and rent on shopping constructed by capital projects that we handle now is being utilised for administrative expenses, operations, and maintenance.
Where do you see the city in the next five years?
In less than five years, the difference between urban and rural areas of GMC will be wiped out. Gandhinagar, as a whole, will get basic and luxury amenities. We are planning to ensure that GMC emerges as a smart city in the real sense; where all kinds of services are available to people easily. In cleanliness, Indore has been the first in the country for many years now. We have studied the Indore model. And we are following the pattern.
What difference has GIFT City made to Gandhinagar?
Its announcement has had a big impact on the rates of land in the vicinity and overall development in the region. It is right at the border of GMC, so obviously, its impact will be there on Gandhinagar as well.
Why is it that Gandhinagar has not been as lively as Ahmedabad?
With the emergence of national educational institutions and a cosmopolitan society, Gandhinagar is also vibrant till late at night. The temperament of people living in Ahmedabad is different. Gandhinagar has its own independent identity and can’t be compared.
Jashwant Patel, the Standing Committee Chairman of the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation. (Express File Photo) 
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