Ahmedabad: In 2013-14, AMC laid a 29km reinforced cement concrete (RCC) stormwater line in Jodhpur for Rs 34 crore. But between 2014 and 2024, AMC executed no major stormwater network project.Over the past three years, AMC has added only 60km to the city’s stormwater network. Against a total road network length of 2,732km, the city has a stormwater network of just 1,010km. Consequently, rainwater disposal relies heavily on the 3,570km drainage network.An AMC official said, “When it rains, outlets of all sewage treatment plants are opened, and rainwater flows directly into Sabarmati river.”The official added, “Currently, 70% of rainwater flows into Sabarmati river via drainage lines, while only 30% is drained through stormwater lines.” The result is polluted rainwater coursing into Sabarmati river.Projects for new stormwater networks in the city’s west were approved between 2024 and 2026. A source said, “Drainage and stormwater line projects worth Rs 1,000 crore have been approved for the city only over the past two years or so.”But progress of works can be gauged by the city’s continuing vulnerability to flooding. Currently, the city officially has 148 flood-prone spots.Another reason for flooding is the lack of planned development. In 2020, Bopal, Ghuma, Kathwada, and Nana Chiloda were incorporated into Ahmedabad’s municipal limits. While new areas continue to be merged into the city, infrastructure for rainwater disposal is not being created.A source in AMC stated: “In 2007, various areas that currently fall under the northwest and southwest zones were merged into the Ahmedabad city limits. These included Sarkhej, Maktampura, Vejalpur, Bodakdev, Thaltej, Ghatlodia, Chandlodia, Kali Gam, Ranip, Gota, and Chandkheda.”However, the source said, AMC did not set up a strong mechanism for rainwater disposal in these areas.During the current monsoon, heavy rainfall in Bopal and Ghuma exposed the reality of the stormwater and drainage networks laid by Auda in these regions.“The stormwater network is inadequate, and the drainage network’s capacity was also found to be insufficient,” the source said. “Workers were forced to dig trenches to drain rainwater accumulated in the residential societies of Bopal and Ghuma.”To deal with waterlogging in Vejalpur, work is ongoing to lay an RCC duct line from Sonal Cinema Road in Vejalpur through the Makarba Police Quarters to Sabarmati river at a cost of Rs 36.3 crore. That project will be completed by 2027.Additionally, a project worth Rs 38 crore has been approved to lay an 1,800mm diameter stormwater line from Anjali Crossroads to Ambedkar Bridge to the downstream of Vasna barrage.Another project worth Rs 37.1 crore was approved to lay a 1,800mm stormwater line from Manekbaug Crossroads to Anjali Crossroads in Navrangpura.
