After Monsoon Waterlogging Misery, AMC Approves ₹10.46 Crore Sabarmati Riverfront Interceptor Line Desilting

AHMEDABAD — Jolted into action after severe monsoon waterlogging inundated multiple neighbourhoods and damaged citizens' properties, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has cleared a ₹10.46 crore proposal to clean the Sabarmati Riverfront interceptor line. The civic body will desilt the 11.50-kilometre stretch on the eastern bank to remove accumulated silt and blockages ahead of the next monsoon.

Water Committee Chairman Dharamshibhai Desai confirmed that the cleaning drive will be wrapped up before the rains arrive, restoring the drainage network to its full operational capacity.

Why the Interceptor Network Matters

Built under the Sabarmati Riverfront project along both the eastern and western riverbanks, the interceptor lines manage stormwater drainage and prevent river pollution. Previously, stormwater drains from across Ahmedabad emptied directly into the Sabarmati. As the city expanded, untreated sewage began mixing with these drains and flowing straight into the river.

To fix this, the riverfront project laid RCC ducts and drainage lines measuring 900 to 2,200 mm in diameter along both banks, connecting the city’s open drains to this enclosed network. Wastewater collected from the eastern interceptor line is routed to the 106 MLD sewage treatment plant at Pirana, where it is treated before being discharged into the river.

11.50-Km Eastern Stretch to Undergo CCTV-Assisted Desilting

The upcoming desilting operation targets the eastern corridor stretching from Shahibaug Dafnala to Ambedkar Bridge. This 11.50-kilometre pipeline carries drainage connections from numerous wards across Ahmedabad’s North, Central, and South zones.

To execute the cleanup, the AMC’s Drainage Project Department floated a tender requiring contractors equipped with heavy machinery and CCTV inspection technology. Two contractors participated in the bidding process. Following negotiations, the civic body approved the proposal of contractor Arunkumar Goyal, who agreed to execute the project for ₹10.46 crore.

Desai noted that clearing the silt will boost the pipeline's carrying capacity and ensure far smoother stormwater drainage during the upcoming monsoon season.