Ahmedabad AMC activates standby pumps, borewells for 10-day Narmada canal repairs
Synopsis
Ahmedabad's civic body is racing to keep taps running as Narmada canal repairs slash supply by up to 60 MLD for 10 days. With 170 distribution stations and over a billion litres treated daily at Kotarpur, AMC has switched to standby pumps and activated borewells — a contingency that will test the city's water management infrastructure right before monsoon.
Key Takeaways
AMC activated standby pumps and borewells from 6 May 2025 to offset a 10-day Narmada canal disruption.
The Kotarpur Water Treatment Plant normally treats 1,100 MLD and serves 170 distribution stations across Ahmedabad.
A shortfall of 50 to 60 MLD is anticipated during the repair period.
100 per cent standby pumps at the raw water pump house have been made operational, replacing gravity-based flow.
Borewells will address an estimated 10 to 15 per cent supply gap at distribution stations.
Repairs are part of routine pre-monsoon maintenance by Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited .
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has activated standby pumps and borewells across the city to maintain water supply as pre-monsoon repair work on the Narmada main canal is expected to reduce water availability for approximately 10 days starting 6 May, officials said on Wednesday. The disruption is anticipated to create a shortfall of 50 to 60 million litres per day (MLD) at the city's primary treatment facility.
Why the Repairs Are Underway
The Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited has undertaken scheduled pre-monsoon repair and maintenance of damage to the canal lining. Water levels in the canal will be regulated from 6 May for an estimated 10-day period as part of routine infrastructure preparedness ahead of the monsoon season. The work is designed to ensure the canal functions smoothly once rains arrive.
Impact on Kotarpur Water Works
Under normal operating conditions, the Kotarpur Water Treatment Plant treats around 1,100 MLD and supplies water to approximately 170 distribution stations across the west, central, north, east, and south zones of Ahmedabad. The reduced canal flow is expected to directly affect the plant's capacity to distribute water at normal levels, with a projected shortfall of 50 to 60 MLD during the repair window.
Contingency Measures Activated
To bridge the gap, AMC has made 100 per cent standby pumps at the raw water pump house operational, shifting from the usual gravity-based flow to active pumping. Additionally, borewells at various water distribution stations have been activated to address an estimated 10 to 15 per cent gap in supply. Officials confirmed that the water supply system is under continuous monitoring to ensure balanced distribution based on available stock.
AMC Appeal to Residents
AMC has appealed to residents to cooperate and use water judiciously during the repair period.
Point of View
But the fact that a 10-day pre-monsoon repair can threaten supply to 170 stations in a major metro points to a deeper structural question: why does a city of Ahmedabad's size remain so dependent on a single treatment plant fed by a single canal? The 50–60 MLD shortfall is manageable this time, but the same canal is vulnerable to monsoon-season damage and longer repair cycles. Diversification of raw water sources and redundancy in treatment capacity should be a long-term civic priority, not just a contingency talking point.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Ahmedabad facing a water supply reduction in May 2025?
The Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited is carrying out pre-monsoon repair and maintenance of damage to the Narmada main canal lining from 6 May 2025. The work requires regulating water levels in the canal for approximately 10 days, reducing the volume reaching the Kotarpur Water Treatment Plant.
How much of a water shortfall is expected in Ahmedabad during the repairs?
A shortfall of around 50 to 60 MLD is anticipated at the Kotarpur Water Treatment Plant, which normally treats about 1,100 MLD. This represents a roughly 5 per cent reduction in treated water supply to the city.
What steps has AMC taken to minimise the impact on citizens?
AMC has activated 100 per cent standby pumps at the raw water pump house to draw water instead of relying on gravity-based flow. Borewells at various distribution stations have also been switched on to cover an estimated 10 to 15 per cent supply gap.
Which areas of Ahmedabad could be affected by the water supply disruption?
The Kotarpur plant supplies water to approximately 170 distribution stations across the west, central, north, east, and south zones of Ahmedabad. All zones could experience some degree of reduced supply, though AMC has said it is monitoring the system for balanced distribution.
When will normal water supply resume in Ahmedabad?
Normal supply levels are expected to resume after the 10-day repair period, which began on 6 May 2025. AMC has appealed to citizens to use water carefully so that equitable supply can be maintained across all areas in the interim.
