Over 60% of Ahmedabad Anganwadis Run From Rented Premises Despite ₹18,000 Crore Civic Budget

More than 60% of Ahmedabad’s Anganwadi centres operate from rented premises, raising questions over basic infrastructure for children despite the civic body having a budget of over ₹18,000 crore.

1,295 Anganwadis Operate From Rented Buildings

Ahmedabad has 2,128 Anganwadi centres, of which 833 function from buildings owned by the civic body, while 1,295 operate from rented properties.

This means around 61% of the city’s Anganwadis are dependent on rented accommodation for services linked to child nutrition, early childhood care and primary development.

The Amdavad Municipal Corporation reportedly pays between ₹8,000 and ₹14,000 per month in rent for these centres. With a large number of centres continuing in rented premises for years, the expenditure has raised concerns over whether more permanent infrastructure could have been developed.

Corporation Plans Anganwadis On Its Own Plots

Women and Child Development Committee Chairman Dimple Varindani said the civic body has begun identifying vacant corporation plots where dedicated Anganwadi buildings can be constructed.

A list of vacant plots has been sought, and around 15 to 20 locations have so far been identified as potentially suitable for the purpose.

The committee has also sought space for Anganwadis in newly constructed corporation schools. The move is aimed at reducing the city's dependence on rented buildings over time.

Child Nutrition Data Adds To Infrastructure Concerns

The infrastructure issue comes against the backdrop of concerns over child nutrition among Anganwadi beneficiaries.

According to the figures cited, 44,236 children in Ahmedabad have been found to have weight or height below the expected level for their age. Of these, 29,590 children have been identified as having low height for their age, while 10,542 are underweight.

With Anganwadis serving children who depend on these centres for nutrition and early development services, the availability of suitable buildings, sanitation and safe drinking water remains a key concern.

RO Water Facilities Planned At 363 Centres

The civic body has also approved the installation of reverse osmosis (RO) machines at 363 Anganwadi centres to provide access to purified drinking water.

According to Varindani, the tender process has been completed and the installations are expected to be taken forward. Some RO machines that were installed earlier have also undergone servicing.

The proposed construction of Anganwadis on corporation land, along with additional space in new civic schools, could gradually reduce the number of centres operating from rented premises.