Ahmedabad: The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has increased the cost of the proposed Nikol vegetable market by ₹1.11 crore due to design modifications. Initially, in February, the market was planned at a cost of ₹79 lakh. However, several design changes have since pushed the cost up to ₹1.98 crore. Notably, the standing committee approved awarding the revised ₹1.90 crore contract to the same contractor who originally received the ₹79 lakh contract, bypassing the re-tendering process.

During a February 29 standing committee meeting, a proposal was approved to build the market on an open plot near Abhilasha Residency in Nikol ward for ₹79.51 lakh. In August, the committee approved changes to the market’s design, including additional stalls, a self-supporting roof, a percolation well, and a food plaza, which increased the total cost to ₹1.98 crore.

According to the proposal, Nikol ward spans 29.93 sq km and lacks a dedicated vegetable market. Currently, vegetable carts stationed on the road and inside the open plot near Abhilasha Residency cause traffic congestion. Establishing a structured vegetable market aims to alleviate this problem. In February 2024, the initial ₹79.51 lakh proposal, which was 5% below the estimated cost, was approved.

On March 1, 2024, a work order was issued, but the contractor had not begun the work. A consultant later revised the market design, increasing the number of stalls from 60 with GI sheet roofing to 88 with a self-supporting roof. Additional provisions for a food plaza/snack bar/shop and a percolation well were also included, escalating the project cost to ₹1.98 crore.