Ahmedabad: 18 of the 30 gates of the Vasna Barrage on the Sabarmati River will undergo repair, for which the river will be partially emptied starting April 15. Simultaneously, work on a new span of Subhash Bridge will begin after dismantling the existing structure. Authorities aim to complete most of the work within 60 days.

As part of the process, the municipal corporation is expected to release between 90 lakh and 1 crore litres of water downstream. However, unlike previous instances, no large-scale river cleaning drive is likely to be undertaken this time.

The gate replacement and repair work is scheduled to begin on April 15 and must be completed within 60 days, considering that the monsoon is expected to set in around June 15. During the period when the riverbed remains exposed, residents living within a 2–3 km radius may have to endure foul odour and inconvenience.

It is learnt that a contract worth ₹9 crore has been awarded for the replacement and repair of 18 gates of the Vasna Barrage.

Meanwhile, as the river was originally scheduled to be emptied by April 1, water supply from upstream had already been stopped on March 26.

How the Gates Will Be Repaired

• The gates will be removed from their hinges using cranes.
• Structural damage, if any, will be repaired on-site.
• Ultrasonic testing will be conducted to assess the integrity of the gates.
• Damaged plates and ribs will be repaired or reinforced.
• Side and bottom seals will be replaced to prevent leakage.
• Anti-corrosion coating will be applied to enhance durability.
• The gates will be reinstalled and tested before being made operational.

DeshGujarat