Major Infrastructure Boost for Ahmedabad
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has taken a significant step toward urban infrastructure development by approving a massive Rs 829.92 crore proposal for the second phase of the Kharicut Canal redevelopment project. This decision was made during the AMC water and sewerage committee meeting held on Friday, marking a crucial advancement in the city's environmental and urban planning initiatives.
Project Scope and Technical Details
The ambitious project will focus on developing a 22-km long canal stretch extending from SP Ring Road to Naroda Muktidham, passing through Ghodasar in Vatva, and ultimately reaching the Khari river. The technical specifications include varying defect liability periods for different components of the project. For the RCC box construction, the defect liability period has been set at 10 years, while the road construction component will have a 3-year DLP. The overall maintenance period for Kharicut Canal Development Phase 2 is established at 7 years.
Water and sewerage committee chairman Dilip Bagaria provided historical context, explaining that the Kharicut canal was originally constructed by the state government's irrigation department approximately 138 years ago. As urban expansion occurred over the decades, this open canal system began accumulating substantial solid waste, leading to significant pollution concerns throughout the affected areas.
Phased Development Approach
The current project represents the continuation of a comprehensive redevelopment strategy. Under the first phase, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation had already completed the redevelopment of a 12.75-kilometer section stretching from Naroda Muktidham to Vinzol Vahela. The success of this initial phase paved the way for the current approval to address the remaining canal sections.
Bagaria elaborated on the specific components of Phase 2, stating: "This includes the stretches from SP Ring Road through Muthiya Drain to Naroda Muktidham, and from Vinzol Vahela through Ghodasar Avkar Hall, through Vatva Village to SP Ring Road. The extension from Vatva Village through Ropda Pond up to the Khari river collectively amounts to approximately 22.415 kilometers in length."
Engineering Specifications and Design
The project will involve sophisticated engineering solutions to address the canal's historical challenges. The plan includes constructing RCC box structures along the existing alignment, effectively replacing the open canal system. The design incorporates different structural approaches based on specific section requirements:
- RCC stormwater boxes in some sections
- Exclusive canal box structures in other areas
- Stormwater canal box structures in remaining parts
The construction will adapt to available width constraints while featuring an innovative design that includes building a road over the top of the newly constructed canal system. This dual-purpose approach maximizes urban space utilization while addressing both transportation and water management needs.
This substantial investment in Ahmedabad's infrastructure represents the municipal corporation's commitment to modernizing urban utilities, reducing environmental pollution, and creating sustainable development solutions that will benefit residents for decades to come. The project timeline and implementation schedule are expected to be announced in the coming weeks as the tender process moves forward.
