Ahmedabad: Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel recently allocated ₹1,003 crore to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) for Phase 2 of the Kharicut Canal Redevelopment Project, covering 28 km of the 80-km-long canal within AMC’s jurisdiction. Originally built in 1881 for irrigation, the canal starts in Raipur village and flows to Chandola Lake, near the Vadodara Expressway. It is set to be redeveloped into a six-lane mobility corridor by 2027 connecting north and south parts of the city.

The Kharicut Canal Redevelopment Project, being executed in phases, aims to tackle Ahmedabad’s flooding issues. Under Phase 1, redevelopment work on a 12.75-km stretch of the canal, from Naroda Crematorium to Vinzol Vehla, is nearly 80% complete. Of the ₹1,338 crore allocated for this phase, over ₹700 crore has already been utilized. Now, the Chief Minister has approved the redevelopment of the remaining stretches under Phase 2.

Progress on Phase 1

Currently, 12.75 km of the Kharicut Canal is under redevelopment, stretching from Naroda Crematorium to Vinjol Drain.

A senior AMC official told a newspaper, that once completed, the six-lane corridor will improve connectivity between Ahmedabad’s north, east, and south zones, significantly easing traffic congestion. The project will also help clear garbage, dirt, and mosquito infestations from the open canal, enhancing public health conditions. Additionally, the canal’s water-carrying capacity will increase by approximately 42%, allowing faster drainage of rainwater from low-lying areas. The construction incorporates both precast box and cast-in-situ box methods.

Plans for Phase 2

The second phase will develop a 15.50-km multi-purpose corridor from S.P. Ring Road to Naroda Crematorium and Vinzol Drain. The work is divided into the following sections:

• Stretch 1: S.P. Ring Road to Naroda Crematorium

• Stretch 2: Vinzol Drain to Ghodasar Aavkar Hall

• Stretch 3: Ghodasar Aavkar Hall to Vatva Village

• Stretches 4 & 5: Vatva Village to S.P. Ring Road

Future Developments in Phase 3

With an estimated budget of ₹180 crore, Phase 3 will continue redevelopment efforts across a 28.25-km stretch, covering S.P. Ring Road, Naroda Crematorium, Vinzol Drain, Ghodasar, and Vatva Village. The project will also focus on beautification and additional amenities along the canal.

Planned features include:

• Linear gardens and green belts

• A vegetable market and food plaza

• Play areas and open-air gyms

• Senior citizen parks and seating spaces

• Pedestrian pathways and visual green barriers

• Vendor zones and landscape enhancements

• Junction upgrades and cultural activity spaces

Upon completion, the revamped canal will not only improve traffic flow but also enhance the city’s urban landscape and water management systems. DeshGujarat