Visiting Ahmedabad 's Kids City? Shell out Rs100 per child

Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has fixed the entry fees to Kids City at Rs100 per kid.

Although Congress has opposed this proposal by terming it exorbitant, the ruling party BJP succeeded in getting the proposal approved on basis of its majority in AMC's standing committee on Thursday. Adults will not be able to enter the activity areas, but they can watch kids playing through the television set placed in the hall, by paying Rs150 per person.

AMC has set up Kids City at a total cost of Rs12.25 crore built in an area of 4240 square meter. The project will be inaugurated by chief minister Narendra Modi on December 31, the last day of the Kankaria Carnival. It took nearly 15 months for AMC to build the air conditioned activity centre.

Every user will be provided a smart card attached with a photograph. Moreover, a kid will get 500 virmos (kids city currency) to purchase various things. Kids will be given one and half hour to enjoy four activities. Out of the four activities, two activities like working in banks, fire station, etc will earn him virmos to spend on two other activities such as buying souvenir or ice cream, a ride on BRTS, etc.

Moreover, his remaining currencies will be deposited in his account which can be used during his next visit to Kids City. Among the activities provided at the Kids city, science centre, radio station, police station, court room and jail, dental and medical hospital, theatre, BRTS, heritage gallery, 108 service, city governance, IT centre, NCC camp, etc will be some of them.

The Congress opposed the charges terming it exorbitant. Surendra Baxi, member of standing committee, said that the ruling party is fixing charges for various services, without even floating tenders. "The charges are very high for a middle class family to afford," said Baxi.

Leader of opposition in AMC, Badruddin Shaikh alleged that it appears as if the BJP has set up Kids City only for the rich, as the poor will not be able to afford the exorbitant charges. He said that the Congress will not participate in the closing ceremony of Kankaria Carnival, as a mark of protest. "If the ruling party does not lower the charges, we will protest and will also challenge the same in the court," said Shaikh.

The Cong also opposed the proposal of providing the sweeping contract of Kids City, to a private agency at a cost of Rs1.50 lakh per month. The party said that the civic body has enough number of sweepers, both permanent and contractual, so there is no need for paying such a high price. "As part of the contract, the civic body will supply sweeping equipment, so the rates quoted by private agency are high," said Baxi.