Ahmedabad: During this monsoon, waterlogging in Shela worsened, particularly along Club O7 Road and VVIP Road. However, there is little likelihood of immediate relief.Two years ago, Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (Auda) implemented a Rs 240 crore drainage network project in Shela, and 75% of the work has been completed.But only 30% of work has been completed on a stormwater network project costing Rs 135 crore for Shela and surrounding areas.While the drainage project is expected to wrap up before the end of 2026, questions remain about whether the stormwater project will be completed before the 2027 monsoon.The delays have heaped hardships on residents.The state govt included Shela under Auda’s jurisdiction in 2009, yet the authority did not initiate the stormwater project for 14 years. Development permissions for residential and commercial buildings were granted in Shela without underground utilities.As a result, alongside rapid new development over the past five years, waterlogging during the monsoon has grown increasingly severe.In 2023, using an ADB (Asian Development Bank) loan, Auda planned the Rs 135 crore stormwater network covering Ghuma, Shela, Godhavi, Manipur, Sanathal, and Telav.However, tenders were not approved for a year. Then in 2024, Auda implemented the Rs 240 crore drainage network project in Shela’s TP Schemes 1 and 3.But Shela has long been ill-equipped to handle significant spells of rain. Rainfall averaging 4 inches on June 30, 2024, flooded societies across the area.A large cave-in occurred on Shela’s Sky City Scheme Road that year. A 1,200mm diameter drainage line laid years ago cracked when a 1,600mm diameter drainage line was being pushed beneath it. That triggered the cave-in.Recent heavy rain submerged several roads in Shela.Hope lies in the loan Auda has received from ADB to draft a master plan for constructing stormwater and sewage networks in Ghuma, Shela, Godhavi, Manipur, Sanathal, and Telav.Under this plan, stormwater lines are being laid across these areas, and seven lakes across Shela, Ghuma, Manipur, and Godhavi are being connected via stormwater lines.Water from these lakes will be directed to Gota-Godhavi canal, supported by the construction of seven water pumping stations.In 2021, Auda decided to secure a loan of Rs 1,900 crore from ADB for infrastructure development. The authority’s detailed project report was approved.The project is designed to cover an area of approximately 19.7 sq km. Under this initiative, Auda will lay a 49.4km underground stormwater pipeline network and construct 7.6km of RCC box drains.With all seven lakes connected to nearby pumping stations, rainwater will be routed to the Gota-Godhavi canal.Rainwater will also be discharged into the natural drainage channels in Sanathal and Telav.
