₹26 crore spent on road repairs in Ahmedabad, yet potholes and sinkholes persist

Ahmedabad, set to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, is grappling with serious infrastructure concerns, as recurring sinkholes and potholes expose gaps in the city’s basic civic systems.

While authorities have announced plans to invest over ₹2,000 crore in infrastructure development over the next four years, ground realities tell a different story. In the past five years alone, the city has witnessed over 410 sinkholes and major road cave-ins, largely attributed to weak drainage systems and ageing underground pipelines. The Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has already spent more than ₹26 crore on repair work.

Despite repeated claims of becoming a ‘tech-savvy’ and modern city, critical failures in drainage and road infrastructure continue to surface. A single sinkhole repair in Hatkeshwar cost the civic body around ₹57 lakh, raising questions about construction quality and long-term planning.

Across multiple areas, potholes and road collapses have become a recurring issue, especially during monsoon seasons, posing risks to commuters and affecting daily life.

For over 15 years, successive municipal budgets presented by the BJP-led administration have included plans to replace decades-old water and drainage pipelines. However, the execution of these projects remains incomplete across zones.

Former Municipal Commissioner M Thennarasan had announced a ₹300 crore package to overhaul water and drainage lines in six wards of the central zone, including the walled city. Three years later, there is still no clear data on the extent of work completed.

A corporator from Dariyapur sought detailed data on sinkholes and repair expenditures across all 48 wards. However, the response from civic zones has been inconsistent and incomplete. While some zones provided partial information, the South-West Zone reportedly avoided sharing expenditure details altogether.

With Ahmedabad preparing to host an international event like the Commonwealth Games, recurring sinkholes, potholes, and weak drainage systems raise serious concerns about the city’s readiness.