Ahmedabad’s Anjali Crossroads is grappling with severe traffic disruptions as a large excavation for a stormwater pipeline project continues. This construction, aimed at tackling persistent issues like waterlogging and drainage blockages, has raised urgent concerns among commuters.
The massive pit at the busy junction has narrowed the carriageways, significantly slowing vehicle movement during peak hours. Each day, hundreds of commuters navigate this stretch, and the ongoing work only adds to congestion in an already high-traffic area.
Officials from the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) pointed out that this excavation is part of a larger initiative to upgrade aging infrastructure across the city. The stormwater pipeline will span approximately 4.91 kilometers and features an impressive 1,800 mm diameter. It connects Manekbag Crossroads to Anjali and extends toward the Sabarmati river near Vasna Barrage.
Using micro-tunnelling technology, the project minimizes surface disruption by digging vertical shafts at select points rather than trenching along the entire route. This method resembles borewell-style drilling and aims to alleviate some of the chaos above ground.
The AMC reported that work commenced on November 27 last year with a deadline set for one year. After five months into construction, officials now estimate that another seven months of disruption lies ahead for those using this corridor.
The cost of this ambitious project is around ₹102 crore and will unfold in two phases. However, urban planning experts have voiced concerns over these extended timelines and costs. Some believe more efficient execution could have shortened this timeline significantly.
With monsoon season approaching, worries mount about how multiple concurrent projects might affect traffic further while residents deal with existing civic challenges such as ongoing infrastructure repairs and congestion.