Decision on stalled Sabarmati riverfront entertainment project set for Aug 17
Ahmedabad: A critical meeting between the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Ltd (SRFDCL) and representatives of Imagica World Entertainment Pvt Ltd is scheduled for August 17 to determine the future of a proposed entertainment hub on the riverfront’s east bank that has been stalled for nearly two years.
SRFDCL had earlier approved a single tender from Imagica on March 6, 2024, allocating 45,600 sq m of riverfront land with an assessed value of ₹1,150 crore on an annual lease rent of ₹45.6 lakh. A letter of award (LOA) was issued on March 7, 2024, and land possession was handed over to the company, which committed to an investment of ₹130 crore to develop the entertainment hub. Under the agreement, SRFDCL was to receive a 12.25% revenue share.
Safety norms, redesign and increased footprint
The project stalled soon after due to regulatory changes introduced following the Rajkot Game Zone fire tragedy. The state government implemented stricter norms for gaming zones and mass-entertainment facilities, prompting a major redesign of the project footprint.
- The revised plan required mandatory road margins and a 1,000-metre exit clearance near the Atal Bridge.
- Fifty percent of the plot was to be reserved for parking, increasing the total allotted land to 50,283 sq m.
- Of this, 25,150 sq m was to be dedicated solely to parking provision.
Imagica proposed executing the project in two phases — Phase 1: 33,000 sq m and Phase 2: 17,283 sq m — with additional parking to be provided through a multi-level facility near Gujri Bazaar on an annual rent basis. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) standing committee later approved these modifications on September 18, 2025.
Tenure dispute and administrative clearance
Progress was further hindered by an administrative dispute over the classification of the riverfront plot as ‘old tenure’ or ‘new tenure’. That issue was resolved when the district collector declared the riverfront plots earmarked for sale and entertainment as ‘old tenure’; the resolution came in March this year, according to the records.
| Parameter | As per agreement/changes |
|---|---|
| Initial plot area | 45,600 sq m |
| Revised plot area | 50,283 sq m |
| Parking area required | 25,150 sq m (50%) |
| Investment commitment | ₹130 crore |
| Annual lease rent (SRFDCL) | ₹45.6 lakh |
| SRFDCL revenue share | 12.25% |
Despite the LOA, land possession and subsequent approvals, construction plans remain pending subject to final clearances and compliance with the revised safety and planning norms. The project’s progress has been slowed by the combined effect of design revisions, parking strategy, and the earlier tenure classification dispute.
"The project footprint required revision to meet the new safety and exit-clearance norms; these changes have led to additional planning and approvals before construction can proceed," the report said.
Local impact and stakes for Ahmedabad
If the meeting on August 17 results in formal clearance for revised construction plans, the Imagica hub would represent a notable private investment along the Sabarmati riverfront and contribute to commercial activity in the area. Conversely, further delays would prolong uncertainty over use of prime riverfront land and postpone anticipated employment and leisure infrastructure.
Key issues likely to be examined at the meeting include adherence to the tightened gaming-zone regulations implemented after the Rajkot tragedy, parking arrangements and traffic management near Atal Bridge, and finalisation of phased construction timelines aligned to the revised footprint.
The project has been the subject of detailed municipal scrutiny because of its scale and the sensitivity of riverfront land use in Ahmedabad's urban design. The August 17 meeting is expected to be decisive in clarifying whether the Imagica entertainment hub will move into construction or remain stalled pending further modifications and approvals.
