Ahmedabad's Urban Development Set for Major Regulatory Overhaul Post-Civic Polls
Ahmedabad: Following the conclusion of the civic body elections, significant changes are anticipated in the urban development landscape of Ahmedabad and other cities across the state. The state government is poised to implement a revised version of the Comprehensive General Development Control Regulations (CGDCR), which will introduce updated construction rules specifically targeting paying guest facilities, preschools, and miniplexes.
Addressing the Miniplex Controversy with New Guidelines
The new CGDCR is expected to incorporate clear regulations for the approval of miniplexes within commercial complexes, potentially allowing them to operate on one or two floors. This move comes after a year-long controversy surrounding miniplexes, which has highlighted the absence of specific rules in the existing 2017 CGDCR for multiplex cinema constructions. Currently, licenses for miniplexes with up to 125 seats are issued under the Gujarat Cinema (Regulation of Exhibition by Video) Rules, 1984, even in commercial complexes with valid building use permissions and fire no-objection certificates, without requiring separate building plans.
In 2024, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) sealed miniplexes operating within commercial complexes, but they were later reopened following representations from operators. The updated regulations aim to resolve such technical disputes by establishing formal guidelines, ensuring smoother operations and compliance.
Expanding Rules for Paying Guest Accommodation and Preschools
The revised CGDCR is also likely to include provisions for paying guest accommodation, potentially permitting it on one or two floors of new commercial complexes. This addresses a two-year controversy over such facilities in Ahmedabad. The current CGDCR includes rules for hostel construction but lacks a definition for 'paying guest,' leading to confusion. A year ago, the AMC issued guidelines under this category, but they pertained to hostel or boarding construction rules without clear differentiation.
Additionally, the new regulations are expected to develop rules for permitting preschools in residential constructions. This follows incidents where the AMC sealed preschools operating in residential units, only to reopen them later. The updated CGDCR aims to provide a structured framework for these educational facilities, ensuring safety and compliance within residential areas.
Background and Current Challenges in Urban Development
Sources from the state's urban development department indicate that the 2017 CGDCR was implemented for all cities, including Ahmedabad, covering construction in urban areas with provisions for cinema, multiplex, drive-in cinema, and theatre plans. Specific rules were established for building multiplexes or cinemas, requiring constructions to adhere to these regulations for opening a cinema. However, the lack of separate rules for miniplexes has led to ongoing disputes.
The demand for hostel buildings has surged, particularly in Ahmedabad's western area, due to the opening of private university campuses. Various social organizations are constructing hostels for students, with approval rates for building plans increasing significantly—from four to five annually in 2021-22 to 15 in 2025-26.
In 2025, the AMC identified 401 paying guest units across the city, issuing notices to 385 units operating without police and society no-objection certificates. All units were instructed to obtain these certificates promptly, with warnings of sealing for non-compliance. During 2025-26, over 25 illegal paying guest units operating in residential societies were sealed, underscoring the need for clearer regulations.
The upcoming CGDCR revisions are designed to streamline these processes, reduce controversies, and foster sustainable urban growth in Ahmedabad and beyond.
