AMC's Western Trunk Line Project Washes Out; Areas Claimed to be Waterlogging-Free Submerge in Water on Thursday

To relieve the residents of western Ahmedabad from the severe problem of waterlogging during the monsoon, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) spent a hefty sum of 326 crore rupees to construct a 27-kilometer-long Western Trunk Line. However, its efficiency collapsed completely during the very first rain. Paradoxically, the exact areas where the authorities made grand claims of zero waterlogging are the ones that faced the worst deluge.

Built using micro-tunneling technology from Vaishnodevi to Fatehwadi, this modern underground trunk line was inaugurated in late December 2025 by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Under this ambitious project, an 8-foot-wide underground drainage line was designed to carry rainwater and sewage to the 150 MLD STP (Sewage Treatment Plant) at Fatehwadi, where it would be treated and released into the river.
The corporation had claimed that the launch of this line would provide permanent relief from waterlogging to areas in the North-West and South-West zones, including Gota, Science City, Chandlodiya, South Bopal, Bhadaj, Hebatpur, Thaltej, Bopal-Ghuma, Bodakdev, Vejalpur, Sarkhej, Maktampura, Mohammadpura, Fatehwadi, Shantipura, and Sanathal.

However, all these claims by the administration were washed away with the very first spell of rain. The North-West and South-West zones, which were expected to benefit the most, witnessed the highest number of waterlogged societies. With rainwater entering the basements of several residential societies and even reaching people's kitchens, locals expressed anger, stating that crores of rupees of public money went down the drain.

Defending the administration, the Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner stated that South Bopal and its surrounding areas are geographically shaped like a saucer, due to which water tends to accumulate. Additionally, the local soil absorbs water very slowly, which caused delays in drainage. The situation deteriorated to such an extent that boundary walls of some societies had to be broken down to drain out the water.

AUDA appeals citizens to use VIP Road as Club O7 Road gets closed
Severe waterlogging has gripped South-West Ahmedabad due to extremely heavy rainfall. Specifically, 1 to 3 feet of water accumulated on the main road from Sky City Circle towards Club O7, bringing traffic to a complete standstill. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) closed this road to vehicular traffic.

Through messages sent to local society groups, the authorities appealed to citizens to avoid traveling via the Club O7 Road and to use VIP Road as an alternative route. With the meteorological department forecasting more extremely heavy rainfall, residents have been advised not to step out of their homes and to postpone non-essential travel. The administration specifically instructed motorists not to drive through waterlogged roads to prevent accidents and vehicles from breaking down