Ahmedabad : The civic body is executing a phased plan to connect 50 lakes across the city through stormwater lines, with recent approvals advancing this water management initiative ahead of monsoon.

The plan is being executed with the hope that the lakes will act as stormwater sinks during heavy downpour.The plan encompasses 50 lakes — 30 in western areas and 20 in eastern Ahmedabad — with at least eight lakes selected in each zone. Officials have identified waterlogging spots around these lakes to redirect accumulated rainwater.On Thursday, the standing committee approved a Rs 80 lakh proposal to install stormwater lines directing rainwater into the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (Auda) lake in Motera.

Earlier, on March 3, the water and sewerage committee approved a Rs 2.04 crore project to lay stormwater lines from Jambu Chowk to Kaligam Lake in Ranip ward's Kaligam area. So far, stormwater infrastructure has been completed for 10 lakes, channelling water from nearby waterlogging spots."The Kaligam lake proposal is worth Rs 2.04 crore. Stormwater lines were previously laid around this lake, but waterlogging persists beyond Jambu Chowk.

New lines will carry water from this spot to the lake," an AMC official explained. Similar projects are underway in Chandkheda, Motera, Sabarmati, and Ranip areas. The AMC has already installed stormwater lines for lakes including Chandola, Malav, Kaligam, Ranip Ahawadia, Motera Village, and Memnagar.

"Each project targets specific waterlogging hotspots. For instance, at Kaligam, existing stormwater lines are being extended to capture runoff from additional areas," said a senior AMC official.Ahmedabad spans 480 square kilometres and has 156 lakes in total. The city's drainage system consists of approximately 3,800km of drainage lines and 965km of stormwater lines. The initiative addresses a persistent urban challenge — Ahmedabad frequently experiences more than an inch of rain per hour, causing waterlogging across multiple areas. In 2024, Only 24 lakes were filled 100%During the 2024 monsoon, 89 of Ahmedabad's 156 lakes filled between 50-100% of capacity. Twenty-four lakes reached 100% capacity — fourteen in western areas and 10 in eastern parts. Western lakes at full capacity included Sola, Dev City, Gota, Mahila, Chandlodia, Yadudi, Chharodi, Motera, Shubham, Vistamata, Vadu, Mamatpura, Puniya, and Kothia. In eastern Ahmedabad, Khakhria, Bharsa, Saijpur, Sat Talavadi, Kaziya, Surbhi, Shaligram, Nikol Auda, Gatresi, and Lambha lakes reached 100% capacity.