Gujarat: Ahmedabad deploys over 13,000 civic staff in view of heavy rain alert
Ahmedabad, Aug 1
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has deployed more than 13,000 officers and employees along with over 600 field teams across the city as authorities remain on high alert following intermittent rainfall and a forecast of further heavy showers by the India Meteorological Department.
The civic body said personnel have been working round the clock for the past two days across all zones and wards to ensure rapid rainwater drainage, monitor pumping stations and drainage systems, and respond to any emergencies.
According to the corporation, the measures helped rainwater to be cleared quickly from areas that received rainfall, preventing any major waterlogging and minimising disruption to normal life.
Officials, employees, corporators, councillors and other public representatives worked in coordination to monitor conditions and respond to local issues.
With the IMD continuing its heavy rainfall forecast for Saturday, all civic teams have been placed on full standby.
The corporation said continuous monitoring is underway across the city, with manpower, machinery and equipment positioned to provide an immediate response if required.
The corporation's Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) Department has also activated additional preparedness measures to support stormwater management.
Special teams have been stationed at all major and stormwater pumping stations to monitor water levels around the clock, while officers and employees have been instructed to remain at their assigned locations on standby.
A dedicated control room has been made operational to monitor the functioning of stormwater pumping stations during heavy rainfall. Technical staff and emergency response teams have also been deployed at the facilities.
To ensure drainage operations continue even in the event of power outages, generators have been installed at all critical pumping stations and rainwater sumps.
The STP Department has also kept jetting machines and super sucker machines ready for rapid desilting work wherever required.
"Pumping station levels, pump operations and water discharge capacity are being continuously monitored through a central server," officials said.
Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani visited waterlogging-prone locations in Chandkheda ward in the city's west zone to assess the preparedness measures on the ground.
During the inspection, he reviewed the drainage and stormwater systems, pumping arrangements, manpower deployment and machinery with officials and issued directions to ensure a prompt response during periods of heavy rainfall.
"He stressed that all departments must remain alert and provide an immediate response during heavy rainfall so that citizens face the least possible inconvenience," the corporation said.
Pani also inspected ongoing road development works between Visat Junction and Zundal, and from Visat Junction to Tapovan Circle.
He reviewed the progress, quality and timelines of the projects and directed officials to complete the works within the stipulated schedule while maintaining quality standards.
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation said all concerned departments remain on alert during the monsoon to ensure rapid rainwater drainage and the uninterrupted delivery of public services across the city.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The preparedness is impressive, but I hope they also focus on the stormwater drainage systems in the older parts of the city, like the Walled City areas. Those narrow streets flood quickly. Also, kudos to the sanitation workers who work in the rain day and night — they truly deserve more recognition. 👏
Jai Gujarat! 🙌 Meanwhile, in my hometown, people still wait for BMC to reach out. Ahmedabad has truly set an example for other municipal corporations. AMC's 24x7 control room and generator backup are smart moves. Common people like us just want a seamless life during monsoon. Well done.
Quite a well-coordinated response. It's heartening to see local administration being this proactive with disaster management. The integration of technology in monitoring pumping stations through a central server is a great example of smart city governance.
I appreciate the effort, but I still see waterlogging at the Visat junction every time it rains, even after the road work. Hope they fix the drainage there too and not just the roads. The inspection was good, but execution should match the speed needed. Otherwise, all this planning is useless for commuters like me. 😔
As a student living in a hostel in Chandkheda, this is reassuring news to hear. Last week the water level reached knee deep in some areas, but this week it seems better. AMC staff has indeed been working hard, and we saw the Commissioner sir inspecting our area today. Good to know there's a plan in place.
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