Ahmedabad: The first phase of the Kharicut Redevelopment Project is likely to be completed by the end of December. During a recent review meeting, Standing Committee Chairman Devang Dani directed officials to ensure that the work is completed within the stipulated timeline.

Of the 12.7-kilometre-long canal, work on 9.93 kilometres has already been completed, while 2.7 kilometres remain pending, Dani said.

According to officials, only 250 metres of work remain under the initial part of Phase 1, while the installation of streetlights is still pending in the second section. In the third and fourth stages, around 560 metres and 922 metres of work are unfinished, respectively — reportedly due to obstructions caused by Metro pillars. In the fifth phase, approximately 1,000 metres of work are still pending.

The canal, which runs through the eastern part of Ahmedabad, is being redeveloped at a cost of ₹1,003 crore with support from the state government. The project aims to address the long-standing issue of waste dumping along the canal.

There were around 22 locations along both sides of the Kharicut Canal that frequently suffered from waterlogging during monsoon, including Naroda crematorium, Naroda TP area, Odhav fire station, Vastral, and Nikol. Once the project is fully completed, the problem of waterlogging in these areas is expected to be resolved permanently.

Planned in two phases, the redevelopment covers 12.7 km in the first phase and 28 km in the second within the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) limits. The primary objective is to construct a six-lane road connecting north and south Ahmedabad to ease traffic congestion and enhance city connectivity. DeshGujarat