Ahmedabads Mega Plan to Interlink 41 Lakes for Rainwater Conservation

Ahmedabad, July 29: The growing population, declining groundwater levels, and significant rainfall runoff pose major challenges for cities across the country. In this context, water conservation has become not just an environmental issue but a necessity for the future. With this in mind, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has launched a significant initiative.

Under the ‘Catch the Rain’ campaign, AMC aims to conserve every drop of rainwater by creating a network to interlink 41 lakes and ponds in the city as part of the ‘Sujalam Sufalam Water Campaign.’

This system will allow excess water from one pond to flow into another through pipelines once it is filled.

The project has significantly increased Ahmedabad’s rainwater storage capacity by millions of cubic feet, enhancing water availability for residents in the future.

Chief Engineer Rakesh Bodhiwala stated, “We have already interlinked 41 lakes in the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). The work to connect the remaining 32 lakes is underway, and we have plans for 17 more lakes. Once interlinked, when one lake fills up, its water will transfer to another lake. This will effectively recharge the groundwater levels and alleviate water scarcity.”

The interlinking project is not limited to water conservation; it will also strengthen urban water management. Additionally, it will reduce flooding in the city and prevent waste of rainwater while helping maintain groundwater levels. These ponds, which fill up during the rainy season, will also become major recreational spots for residents.

AMC Commissioner Banchanidhi Pani remarked, “With the support of the central and Gujarat governments, this interlinking scheme is currently being implemented. We are storing this water to recharge the groundwater, and our groundwater levels are not too low.”

The interlinking of ponds and lakes in Ahmedabad is viewed not just as an engineering project but as a blueprint for the city’s future water security. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the Gujarat government is continuously emphasizing water conservation and sustainable urban development. This model from Ahmedabad could serve as an example for other cities in the state and country in the times to come.