Gandhinagar, June 23 (IANS) Ahmedabad’s Vasna Barrage, a key flood-control and water-management structure on the Sabarmati River, has undergone a major overhaul ahead of the monsoon, with authorities completing the replacement and repair of 29 gates in a record 35 days after a dam safety inspection recommended urgent intervention.

The Gujarat Water Resources Department said 19 new gates were installed and 10 existing gates repaired at a total cost of Rs 10.15 crore. Water has now begun to be stored in the barrage again following the completion of the work.

Constructed in 1976, the Vasna Barrage plays an important role in regulating water flow through Ahmedabad and in managing floodwaters during the monsoon.

During a pre-monsoon inspection conducted in 2025 under the Dam Safety Act, engineers from the department’s Mechanical Division recommended the renovation and repair of the barrage gates to ensure the structure’s long-term safety and operational reliability.

Acting on those recommendations, authorities completely emptied the barrage on April 17 and began work on what officials described as a “war footing”.

Fabrication of various gate components was completed over a period of 4 months, after which installation work commenced once the reservoir had been drained.

The department said the replacement of 19 gates and the repair of 10 others were completed within just 35 days, with the assistance of five heavy-duty mobile cranes.

A total of 460 metric tonnes of structural steel was used in the project. Civil engineering teams simultaneously undertook strengthening work on the barrage’s existing structural components.

Officials noted that similar projects generally take between four and five months to complete after the structure is emptied.

However, the Vasna Barrage work was finished within 35 days, allowing water to be impounded again before the onset of the monsoon.

The barrage consists of 30 gates in total, including 24 measuring 60 ft by 12 ft, 2 measuring 60 ft by 14 ft, and 4 measuring 60 ft by 16 ft.

Prior to the latest project, 11 gates had already been replaced over the years as required, including three in 2010, two in 2011, five in 2013 and one in 2025.

“Dam safety projects are being prioritised across Gujarat under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and the guidance of Water Resources and Water Supply Minister Ishwarsinh Patel,” officials noted.

Officials said the completed works are expected to enhance the barrage’s safety during the monsoon season and help ensure adequate irrigation water supplies for farmers in rural areas of Ahmedabad district in the years ahead.

–ANS

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