No More AMC Office Visits for Water, Drainage Connections: Ahmedabad Citizens Can Now Apply Online

Amdavad Municipal Corporation has moved the application process for water and drainage connections online, allowing citizens to apply from home, upload documents, track applications and pay connection charges without repeatedly visiting civic offices.

The new system covers applications for both water and drainage connections. Once an application is submitted, it will be automatically assigned to the concerned employee in the respective zone and ward, allowing applicants to track which official is handling their request.

Application, Verification and Payment Under One System

Under the new process, citizens can submit their applications through the AMC web portal and upload the required documents in PDF or JPG format.

After submission, the application will be routed electronically to the concerned staff member for verification. A site inspection will then be carried out by the designated officials before the application is processed further.

Once the connection is approved, the system will generate a demand note online. The applicant can then pay the applicable connection charges through online payment methods.

The corporation intends to complete the process within a defined timeframe, reducing the need for citizens to visit different offices or follow up physically with individual officials.

The online allocation system is also expected to make the movement of applications more transparent. Applicants will be able to know where their application is pending and which level of the civic administration is handling it.

Documents Must Be Uploaded With Application

Citizens applying for a water or drainage connection will have to upload several documents along with their applications.

These include:

• The previous year's property tax receipt
• Proof of property ownership
• Identity proof such as Aadhaar card or election card
• Passport-size photograph
• Site map
• Building Use (BU) permission

Each document can be uploaded in PDF or JPG format, with the maximum file size restricted to 2 MB.

Depending on the nature of the application, additional documents may also be required. These can include the society's NOC, building completion certificate, road-cutting permission and a copy of the plumber's licence.

Application Status and Notifications Available Online

The new system will allow applicants to check the status of their applications online at different stages.

SMS and email notifications will also be sent to applicants as the application moves through the process. An e-response facility has also been provided, allowing citizens to respond electronically where required.

Connection charges can be paid online after the demand note is generated, making the process largely cashless from application to payment.

AMC officials say the system is intended to save citizens time and effort while improving transparency, efficiency and accountability in the handling of applications.

Online Facility Has Been Live for a Month, But Few Applications Received

Despite the new facility being available on the AMC website for about a month, the response has reportedly remained low.

An official from the e-Governance department said the online link has already been made live, but a lack of awareness among citizens has meant that only two to three applications have been received through the system so far.

The official said engineering department personnel have also been trained to process applications through the online module.

The low number of applications suggests that the civic body may need to undertake wider public awareness efforts if it wants citizens to shift from the traditional office-based process to the new online system.

Confusion Within AMC Over Implementation

While the e-Governance department maintains that officials have been trained to handle the online applications, there appears to be some confusion within the engineering department over the implementation process.

An engineering department official said training was provided when the module was developed. However, after the system was implemented, no formal circular was issued and no fresh training was conducted on how officials should process and dispose of applications under the new system.

The lack of clear communication within the corporation could affect the smooth functioning of the system, particularly during the initial phase.

Citizens Could Benefit If System Works as Planned

Water and drainage connections often require citizens to submit documents, coordinate with civic officials, undergo site inspections and make payments before the connection is provided.

By bringing these steps onto a single digital platform, AMC aims to reduce physical visits and make the process easier to track.

The success of the system, however, will depend not only on the availability of the online portal but also on public awareness, proper training of civic staff and timely processing of applications at the zone and ward levels.