Ahmedabad: To address waterlogging and cope with changing weather patterns, the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has launched a project to develop ‘sponge parks’ across the city. These parks, modeled after successful initiatives in Chennai and China’s ‘sponge cities,’ are designed to absorb, filter, and retain rainwater, contributing to the city’s stormwater management efforts.

Initially, five locations namely Bodakdev, Vatva, Odhav, Vejalpur, and Vasna have been selected, with plans to expand to 22 sites over the coming years. Tenders have already been issued. These parks serve both as recreational spaces and as part of the city’s climate adaptation strategy, featuring permeable surfaces, rain gardens, and native vegetation to reduce flood risk and replenish groundwater.

During heavy rainfall, these parks absorb excess water, helping to mitigate flood risks, and in the summer, they release moisture, cooling the surroundings and replenishing groundwater. The project also includes water retention tanks and injection wells to enhance water percolation. To make these parks more engaging, they will feature sports facilities such as cricket pitches, badminton courts, and open gyms. Each park is estimated to cost between ₹78 lakh and ₹1.72 crore. DeshGujarat