For Prez Trump’s day visit, AMC to install Rs 1-cr decorative lights

Motera area has received a quick facelift ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to the city on February 24. What has raised eyebrows, however, is Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s plan to install decorative lighting worth Rs 1 crore along the route that US President will pass through during the day.

Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will land directly in Ahmedabad around 12 noon. He is expected to spend about 3.5 hours in sunny Ahmedabad. Officials from AMC Light department said, “We will install decorative lights along the stretches from airport to Indira bridge to Motera stadium, then from stadium to Sabarmati to Chimanbhai Bridge and from Subhash Bridge to Gandhi ashram along with Airport Circle, Indira Bridge Circle and Subhash Bridge Circle. The flags of both countries will be displayed through lights at Gandhi ashram.

The area behind Gandhi ashram as well as the riverfront will be decorated with lights. In all, lighting worth Rs 1 crore will be installed.”

Confirming this, Standing Committee Chairman Amul Bhatt said, “We are going to install lights along the route. However, we will first take the permission of security personnel and work accordingly.”

AMC Opposition leader Dinesh Sharma said, “There are many bridges where lights are non-functional. People have to face harassment because of this. But The AMC is using decorative lights to welcome US President Donald Trump in broad daylight. They are showing ‘din mein taare’ to Trump. People are paying taxes and their complaints are not being addressed.

However, BJP is more inclined to spend tax money to show-off.”