₹26.45 Crore Spent In Two Years, AMC Set To Hold Ahmedabad Shopping Festival Again
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and the Gujarat government are preparing to organise the Ahmedabad Shopping Festival once again, with the next edition scheduled from December 5, 2026, to January 16, 2027. The event is returning despite ₹26.45 crore having been spent on its first two editions and questions being raised over the benefits for traders and the festival's financial returns.
The civic body spent ₹7.14 crore on the inaugural Ahmedabad Shopping Festival in 2024-25 and ₹19.31 crore on the second edition in 2025-26. The expenditure for this year's festival has not yet been finalised.
₹19.31 Crore Spent On 43-Day ASF 2.0
Ahmedabad Shopping Festival 2.0 was held for 43 days, from December 5, 2025, to January 16, 2026, at a total expenditure of ₹19.31 crore, according to AMC data.
The spending included:
- ₹6.30 crore on lighting, theme-based installations and decoration
- ₹1.01 crore on branding, marketing and promotion
- ₹12 crore on temporary infrastructure, domes, shopping kiosks, stalls, thematic gates and public utilities
AMC data showed that around 53 lakh people visited the festival during its 43-day run. More than 300 artists performed in 80 cultural programmes, while over 100 art and lighting installations were created.
However, the festival reportedly saw weaker footfall at several locations on weekdays, with better crowds mainly on Saturdays and Sundays.
Only around 31,000 people downloaded the ASF Pass to access special offers, raising further questions about the event's direct benefits to shoppers and participating businesses.
First Edition Cost ₹7.14 Crore
The first edition, Ahmedabad Shopping Festival 1.0, was held for 95 days from October 12, 2024, to January 14, 2025.
The total expenditure was ₹7.14 crore, including:
- ₹3.55 crore for lighting and theme-based installations and decorations
- ₹74.17 lakh for branding, marketing and promotion
- ₹2.85 crore for temporary infrastructure, stages, pavilions, shopping kiosks, stalls, thematic gates and public utilities
According to AMC data, more than 25 lakh people visited the festival during the 95-day event. However, several locations reportedly witnessed low footfall on weekdays.
Traders Raise Questions Over Expected Benefits
Traders were involved in previous editions, but the expected commercial benefits reportedly did not materialise for everyone.
There were reports that some traders vacated their stalls before the festival ended after failing to attract the expected number of customers.
Despite the substantial expenditure, there has been no clear assessment of the festival's direct income or the financial benefits generated for the AMC, according to the concerns raised over the event.
The festival's rising costs have also attracted attention. The expenditure increased from ₹7.14 crore for the first edition to ₹19.31 crore for the second.
Some Previous Bills Still Unpaid, BJP Member Had Said
The issue of pending payments from the previous festival had also surfaced earlier, with a BJP member reportedly informing the AMC Standing Committee that some bills related to the event had not yet been cleared.
As preparations begin for the 2026 edition, officials have been directed to make a presentation before five key office-bearers, including the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, outlining the proposed activities and estimated expenditure.
Cost Of 2026 Festival Yet To Be Finalised
Standing Committee Chairman Kamlesh Patel said the Ahmedabad Shopping Festival would be organised this year as well, as in previous years.
However, he said the final cost had not yet been decided.
Officials have been instructed to prepare a detailed presentation on the proposed activities and expenditure before it is placed before the city's key office-bearers, including the Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
The festival will involve city-wide lighting, themed decorations, temporary structures, shopping stalls and cultural programmes, among other activities.
With preparations for the event expected to intensify over the coming months, questions are also being raised over the amount of administrative time devoted to planning the festival and whether civic works related to roads, water supply, drainage and street lighting could be affected.
For now, the key question remains unanswered: how many more crores will be spent on Ahmedabad Shopping Festival 3.0, and what measurable returns will the city receive?
