Ahmedabad civic body puts flower show plants for sale after low turnout

The recently concluded flower show in Ahmedabad has come under criticism after attracting significantly fewer visitors than expected, despite higher spending and an extended duration. 

To make up for the perceived shortfall, civic officials have begun selling plants used in the exhibition, while surplus stock will be relocated to public gardens and municipal premises.

This year’s flower show, held over 29 days, reportedly featured more than one million flowers and plants across 48 species, at a cost of around ₹17 crore—about ₹2 crore more than last year. However, attendance fell by nearly 200,000 visitors compared with the previous edition, with around 1.1 million people visiting the event.

After the show ended, many of the plants were initially moved to municipal gardens and road dividers. Subsequently, the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) decided to sell a portion of the plants to the public in an attempt to recover some costs and prevent wastage.

The sale is being conducted through four AMC-run nurseries across the city, with prices ranging from ₹6 to ₹235 per plant. Officials have said that discounted rates will be offered for bulk purchases. The nurseries involved are Rasala Nursery near Law Garden, Saurabh Nursery opposite the Memnagar Fire Station, Vishwakarma Nursery in Chandkheda, and Science City Nursery on Canal Road in Gota.

Civic sources said that if the public sale fails to attract sufficient buyers, the remaining plants will be transplanted to municipal properties, including public offices and other government-maintained spaces. 

Officials maintained that the aim is to ensure the plants continue to be used for public benefit rather than being discarded.