Barely 2.5 Inches of Rain Floods Ahmedabad: Furious Lawmakers Grill Municipal Officials, Demand Zero Waterlogging Next Monsoon

A sharp spell of just two and a half inches of rainfall has plunged large swathes of Ahmedabad underwater, sparking severe political fallout and a heated confrontation between local lawmakers and civic brass. During a high-level coordination meeting chaired with the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) Commissioner, over four MLAs cornered officials over systemic drainage failures and demanded a concrete action plan to ensure zero waterlogging before the next monsoon arrives.

The meeting saw elected representatives highlight acute civic distress across key areas including Jamalpur, Paldi, Ellisbridge, Three Gates (Bhadra), and Vejalpur.

British-Era Drains Performed Better, Says Jamalpur MLA

Raising serious questions over modern drainage infrastructure, the Jamalpur MLA pointed out that historic walled-city areas were hit by severe waterlogging—an unprecedented sight at Three Gates (Bhadra). He noted that the British-era drainage network possessed the capacity to discharge up to 20 inches of rainfall without submerging the walled city.

The MLA attributed the unprecedented inundation to choked outfalls and poor stormwater discharge planning into the Sabarmati River, urging municipal engineers to overhaul the city’s drainage-river connectivity.

Choked Riverfront Outfalls Worsen Paldi Inundation

Ellisbridge MLA Amit Shah voiced strong discontent over administrative negligence along the Sabarmati Riverfront. Shah revealed that approximately 10 critical drainage outfalls catering to Paldi and surrounding neighbourhoods open into the Sabarmati River.

Despite bringing the issue to light during a coordination meeting a month prior and demanding desilting, municipal officials failed to act in time. Shah personally inspected the sites alongside engineering staff during the heavy downpours to prove that all 10 outfalls remained completely blocked and non-functional, directly causing widespread flooding in Paldi.

Key Demands Raised by Lawmakers

• Vejalpur Infrastructure: Vejalpur MLA Amit Thaker reiterated the urgent demand for a dedicated, high-capacity stormwater line to protect residential pockets from chronic flooding.
• Citywide Overhaul: Lawmaker Amul Bhatt alongside other representatives detailed local civic failures, demanding a comprehensive strengthening of the city’s drainage network.
• Timely Execution: Most attending MLAs issued a strict directive to the AMC Commissioner: begin planning immediately so all drainage, stormwater, and outfall clearing works are fully executed before the onset of the next monsoon.