Ahmedabad Lakes Choked by Unchecked Construction Waste Dumping

Ahmedabad’s lakes, once integral to the city’s ecological balance, are increasingly becoming dump yards for construction waste, raising serious environmental and civic concerns. While the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has implemented hefty fines for public littering and invested crores in cleanliness surveys, it has failed to curb illegal debris dumping near the city’s water bodies. The AMC had designated 25 collection sites for construction and demolition (C&D) waste disposal, yet many residents report that collection is delayed and inefficient, with an additional Rs 200 fee per trip further discouraging compliance. This inefficiency has led to an alarming rise in night-time illegal dumping, particularly at Koteshwar, Memnagar, and Gota, endangering local ecosystems and diminishing the city’s already strained urban landscape.

Residents have voiced concerns over the deteriorating state of these lakes, which were once vibrant community spaces but are now filled with heaps of discarded debris. “The lake at Koteshwar, which was once a serene spot, has now turned into a massive dump yard,” said a local resident. The crisis is exacerbated by the lack of interconnected water bodies, as only 23 out of 122 lakes are linked through stormwater lines, making them more vulnerable to stagnation and pollution. Experts warn that unregulated debris disposal not only impacts aesthetics but also destroys aquatic ecosystems by blocking natural water channels, leading to waterlogging and urban flooding during monsoons.

The AMC had initially planned to address this crisis by setting up a dedicated C&D waste processing plant in Gota, spanning 23,000 sq. m. However, this proposal was scrapped just four months after its approval. Instead, the standing committee later approved an alternate site at Gyaspur sewage farm, where work is reportedly ongoing. While this move aims to centralise C&D waste management, delayed implementation has left Ahmedabad’s lakes vulnerable to unchecked pollution, with little immediate relief for affected areas. The absence of a robust enforcement mechanism further worsens the situation, as night-time dumping continues unchecked, eroding public spaces that should serve as environmental buffers.

From a sustainability perspective, this growing menace underscores the urgency of adopting circular economy models in urban waste management. The recycling and reuse of C&D waste could significantly reduce environmental degradation, yet Ahmedabad’s lack of efficient waste segregation and processing facilities remains a major bottleneck. Globally, cities have successfully converted C&D waste into paving blocks, road aggregates, and even eco-friendly bricks, reducing landfill overflow and lowering construction costs. If Ahmedabad were to implement similar sustainable waste processing mechanisms, it could mitigate ecological damage while enhancing urban liveability. However, this requires a stronger policy push, enhanced monitoring, and active citizen participation to safeguard the city’s natural water bodies from further deterioration.