Civic Body Issues Warning After Repeated Flooding; Citizens Advised to Use Alternative Routes as Responsibility Shifted to Commuters
Pakko Gujarat News | Ahmedabad
As the monsoon season begins in Ahmedabad, the long-standing issue of waterlogging in city underpasses has once again come under public scrutiny. In a significant advisory, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has released a list of 25 underpasses that are considered vulnerable during heavy rainfall and has urged citizens to avoid using them whenever water accumulation or safety restrictions are in place.
The advisory comes amid concerns that several underpasses in Ahmedabad become heavily flooded even after moderate rainfall, creating serious risks for motorists and pedestrians.
AMC Warns Citizens to Avoid Risky Underpasses
According to information released by the Municipal Commissioner, citizens should refrain from entering underpasses when waterlogging, mud accumulation, maintenance work, or safety barriers are present.
The corporation has advised vehicle owners and pedestrians to use alternative routes instead of attempting to cross flooded underpasses. Officials have emphasized that ignoring warning signs or entering restricted areas could put lives at risk.
Safety Gates and Flood Risks
AMC officials stated that automatic and manual safety gates may be closed during periods of heavy rainfall to prevent accidents and fatalities. Citizens have been requested to cooperate with authorities and strictly follow safety instructions issued at affected locations.
The advisory highlights the danger posed by sudden water accumulation, poor visibility, and stalled vehicles inside underpasses during intense rain.
Public Questions Civic Preparedness
The announcement has triggered criticism from several residents, who argue that despite annual budgets and pre-monsoon preparedness exercises, many underpasses continue to face the same flooding problems year after year.
Citizens have questioned why a permanent drainage solution has not been implemented despite repeated incidents and substantial public expenditure on urban infrastructure.
Critics also argue that simply issuing advisories is not enough and that authorities should focus on long-term engineering solutions to eliminate recurring waterlogging problems.
Smart City Claims Under Spotlight
The issue has reignited debate over Ahmedabad’s Smart City infrastructure claims. Residents point out that if key traffic corridors become unusable after relatively low levels of rainfall, questions naturally arise regarding urban planning, drainage capacity, and flood management systems.
Many citizens believe that preventive infrastructure upgrades should take precedence over seasonal warnings.
Public Advisory
While civic authorities continue monitoring vulnerable locations, residents are being urged to remain cautious throughout the monsoon season. Motorists should avoid flooded roads and underpasses, follow official warnings, and use designated alternative routes whenever possible.
Safety experts emphasize that no shortcut is worth risking human life, particularly during heavy rainfall and flash-flood conditions.
