SABARMATHI RIVERFRONT

REDEVELOPMENT

GANESH AKSHAY
GAGANA S
Sabarmati Riverfront is a waterfront being developed along the banks of Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad,
India.
Proposed in 1960s, the construction began in 2005. Since 2012, the waterfront is gradually opened to public as
and when facilities are constructed and various facilities are actively under construction.
The major objectives of project are environment improvement, social infrastructure and sustainable
development.
The Sabarmati Riverfront Development Project at Ahmedabad has attracted much attention for its concept, approach
and achievements nationally and internationally.
AIM AND OBJECTIVES
Project Aim:
The project aims to provide Ahmedabad with a meaningful waterfront environment along the banks of the Sabarmati
River and to redefine an identity of Ahmedabad around the river. The project looks to reconnect the city with the river
and positively transform the neglected aspects of the riverfront.

SOCIAL
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABLE
INFRASTRUCTURE:
IMPROVEMENT DEVELOPMENT:

Rehabilitation and
Reduction in Generation of
OBJECTIVES

resettlement of
erosion and flood resources
riverbed dwellers
to safeguard the
and activities
city Revitalization of
neighborhoods
Creation of pub
Sewage diversion
public spaces
to clean the river
Water retendon
Provision of socio-
andrecharge
cultural amenities
ISSUES
The first set of issues is in the way the project has been designed and implemented. They are in the process as also in the
outcome.
The concerns are on the reliability of the technical feasibility considering the peculiarity of the Sabarmati's flood
behavior and the relatively new climate change phenomenon that brings into the equation hitherto unknown factors
and considerations, which did not figure in the Khadkwasla calculations and modeling tests in the '60s. Climate change
was not such a prominent issue then.
The change in the river ecology by filling in the water, the disruption of the dry-river ecology, neglect of the river-basin,
banks and the water-- beyond the city stretch, the change in the traditional use pattern of the river bed (especially the
river bed agriculture) and the river bank uses; summary eviction of all form of traditional river users; tempering with the
naturalness of the river form through the straightening of the banks. the artificial and characterless retaining wall and,
most importantly, downgrading of a natural river into a narrow and artificial 'canal' does not find approval of the purists
and the ecologically learned and sensitive
 Previous condition of
Sabarmati:
Parch riverbed
Polluted water due to
untreated sewage and
industrial waste (Mathur,
2012)
Banks prone to flooding and
lacked infrastructures
Source of water-borne
diseases
Inaccessible for residents of
two parts of the city
Slums and squatters
mushroomed nearby
 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT
1.Reduction in Erosion and Flood
Strategies for flood protection, bank protection, and river training have been
formulated based on detailed hydrological and hydraulic analysis and an optimal
width of 263 meters for the water way has been selected.

Strategies for flood protection, bank protection, and river training have been
formulated based on detailed hydrological and hydraulic analysis. An optimal
width of 263 meters for the water way has been selected and implemented. Both
banks of the river have diaphragm walls built into the riverbed at a depth of more
than 10m, and retaining walls which protect low-lying areas from periodic flooding
and prevent erosion of the river banks.

2.Sewage Diversion
To stop the pollution of the river from untreated sewage and industrial effluents, an
integrated storm water and sewage system with interceptor sewers has been
implemented.

To stop the pollution of the river from the stormwater outfalls and industrial effluents,
an integrated storm water and sewage system with interceptor sewers has been
implemented. These interceptor lines have been installed along both banks of the
river capturing 38 sewage discharge points and routing the sewage with new
pumping stations in the reclaimed banks. These lines carry untreated sewage to the
recently augmented sewage treatment plants south of Vasna Barrage.
 3.Water Retention and Recharge
As Sabarmati is not a perennial river, a comprehensive strategy to
manage and maintain water in the river throughout the year has
been worked out. Water retention in the river shall enable
recreational activities as well as recharge the groundwater.

As Sabarmati is not a perennial river, a comprehensive strategy to

manage and maintain water throughout the year in the river has
been worked out.

The Vasna Barrage, located just downstream of Ahmedabad,

makes it possible to retain water for 15 kilometers upstream, the
entire length of the river within the city. The Narmada Canal,
which crosses the river a few kilometres upstream from the city,
makes it possible to replenish the barrage-retained water that is
used up for irrigation or is lost to evaporation and seepage.

A more sustainable alternative is undergoing planning to use

treated water from the sewage treatment plants to replenish the
river. Hence, the traditionally monsoon-fed Sabarmati shall be
able to hold and replenish water year-round. Water retention in
the river enables recreational activities as well as groundwater
recharge.
 Revitalisation of Neighbourhoods
It also aims to bring new life to the centre of the city and to
spur broad-based upgradation and revitalisation of
surrounding neighbourhoods.

The project aims to bring new life to the centre of the city
and to spur broad-based revitalisation of surrounding
neighbourhoods. The land uses of the reclaimed areas in the
master plan have been allocated in relation to the existing
land use of the adjacent areas. Eighteen precincts have
been identified in the project which will undergo gradual
upgradation to benefit residents and workers in central
Ahmedabad by promoting integrated, high-density growth,
with a focus on walkability and public transportation.
 Creation of Parks & Public Spaces

One of the key features of this project is a

two-level, continuous promenade at the
water’s edge along each bank of the river.
The lower level promenade has a minimum
width of six meters. It has been built just
above the water level to serve pedestrians
and cyclists and to provide access to the
water. The upper level river promenade is
being built to host a variety of public features:
few areas for commercial and retail
development, leisure activities, large parks
and plazas, public washrooms and retail
kiosks. Together, these promenades provide
Ahmedabad with a 11.5 km long pedestrian
walkway in the heart of the city. Ghats
punctuate the lower level promenade at
planned intervals to provide access to the
water for recreational and cultural activities.
THANK YOU