Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has identified 50 high-risk water contamination zones in the central areas of Ahmedabad and launched a Rs 264 crore project to replace ageing water supply and drainage pipelines.
Civic officials said pipeline replacement work is currently underway across six wards in the central zone, including Asarwa, Shahibaug, Dariapur, Jamalpur and Khadia. The project involves replacing water and sewer pipelines that are over 50 years old and is expected to be completed by December 2027. Authorities said the initiative is likely to provide relief from contamination issues to nearly one lakh residents.
Officials added that work progress has been slow due to the narrow and congested roads in old city areas, making excavation and installation challenging. Engineers said many of the existing pipelines are old cast-iron lines with small diameters buried deep underground. In several places, water pipelines are located below drainage lines, increasing contamination risks because of corrosion, chlorine damage and low water pressure.
According to AMC engineers, reduced water pressure in ageing pipelines increases the chances of polluted water entering the supply network. As part of the project, old drainage lines are being replaced with new pipelines having proper gradient and improved pipe diameters to ensure smoother flow and reduce contamination risks.
Additional City Engineer of the Central Zone, Amit Patel, said special double-walled pipes are also being installed to prevent damage caused by rats, which frequently block underground drainage systems in densely populated areas.
“Due to rats in the drainage network across narrow lanes and streets, drainage lines and machine-hole chambers often get blocked. To avoid such problems for the next 15 to 20 years, double-walled pipes are being laid,” Patel said.
Officials said around 33,300 metres of drainage pipelines and 26,200 metres of water pipelines have already been replaced across the six wards.
Among the high-risk areas identified by AMC are Jamalpur-Kachni Masjid, Labour Quarters, Ghazipir, Kumbharwado, Panch Peepli, Jamalpur Chakla and Munda Darwaja in Jamalpur ward; K K Shastri Nagar, Bordi Mill Ni Chali and Chunaravas in Khadia ward; and Juliawado, Police Line, Shahjahan Mohalla, Juna Danapith and Tata Mill Ni Chali in Shahpur ward.