AHMEDABAD: In regions surrounding Ahmedabad city, approvals for new residential and commercial buildings are being granted before establishing underground utility networks. Shela serves as a significant example of this planning oversight.
In the past decade, the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) has authorized over 50 residential and commercial projects along Club O Seven Road and VIP Road in Shela, where residents have already settled. Only now is AUDA initiating the installation of stormwater, drainage, and water systems.
This haphazard approach is causing significant disruptions for residents in Shela, Bhat, Manipur, Godhavi, and Sanathal.
Although the state government incorporated Shela into AUDA’s jurisdiction in 2009, not a single stormwater line has been laid in the last 15 years. AUDA did plan a stormwater network for regions like Ghuma, Shela, Godhavi, Manipur, Sanathal, and Telav, funded by a loan from the ADB. However, the implementation of this Rs 135 crore project has already faced a one-year delay.
Currently, AUDA has commenced work on underground utilities in Shela, which includes stormwater, drainage, and water networks, while a Rs 240 crore drainage project is also underway following large residential scheme approvals in Shela’s TP Scheme No. 1.
Due to AUDA’s inaction, Shela, Sanathal, Telav, and Manipur regularly experience severe waterlogging during the monsoon season. Approvals for development permissions were hastily granted in Shela, Godhavi, Manipur, Sanathal, and Telav without put in place stormwater and sewer systems.
On June 30, 2024, 4 inches of rain battered Shela, resulting in flooding across numerous neighborhoods.
Now, AUDA has developed a master plan, backed by an ADB loan, to install stormwater and sewer networks in Shela, Godhavi, Manipur, Sanathal, and Telav. Work has commenced in these areas, with connections made to seven ponds in Shela, Ghuma, Manipur, and Godhavi, channeling water to the Gota-Godhavi canal through seven pumping stations.
An AUDA official, speaking anonymously, expressed, “Construction is increasing in Shela, Manipur, Godhavi, Sanathal, and Telav. The absence of sewer and stormwater networks aggravates the waterlogging issues.”
The official further stated, “A master plan, financed by an ADB loan, covers roughly 19.7 sq km and includes 49.4km of underground stormwater pipelines, 7.6km of RCC box drains, and seven stormwater pumping stations.” Another AUDA representative added, “While residential projects were approved in Shela’s TP Scheme No. 1 and residents have moved in, significant portions of TP Scheme Nos. 2 and 3 in Shela, Manipur, and Godhavi remain undeveloped.”
