Synopsis
Vadodara's civic body has initiated a significant Rs 62.22 crore project focused on deepening and widening the Vishwamitri River over the next 100 days to reduce flood risks, following past flooding crises that impacted thousands.Key Takeaways
- Vadodara's river deepening initiative is valued at Rs 62.22 crore.
- The project aims to enhance the Vishwamitri River's flood-carrying capacity.
- Excavation will involve 19 lakh cubic meters of material.
- Four phases are planned for the river's renovation.
- Additional flood control measures are being implemented simultaneously.
Vadodara, March 10 (NationPress) The civic administration of Vadodara in the state of Gujarat has initiated a project valued at Rs 62.22 crore aimed at deepening and widening the Vishwamitri River over a period of 100 days to address flood risks.
The project commenced with a foundation stone-laying ceremony held near Mangal Pandey Bridge, officiated by Mayor Pinkiben Soni and Assembly Chief Whip Balkrishna Shukla. Dr Sheetal Mistry, Chairman of the Standing Committee, stated that the 24.7 km river will undergo renovations in four phases, with plans to excavate approximately 19 lakh cubic meters of soil, mud, and silt.
This initiative also entails clearing forests over an area of 236.49 hectares to improve the river’s capacity from 800 cusecs to 1,100 cusecs.
The operations began near Mangal Pandey Bridge using a fleet of 10 dumpers, four tractors, four Hitachis, and six JCBs. Concurrently, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) is undertaking supplementary flood control strategies, which include deepening and widening Ajwa and Pratappura lakes, building a bar lake at Dena, redirecting the dry canal, establishing a new channel, and enhancing other city canals.
The deepening project is organized into four distinct phases. Phase 1, which covers 6.1 km from Maretha to Kotnath Mahadev Temple, involves excavating 3.65 lakh cubic meters of soil at a cost of Rs 14.84 crore, clearing 54,811 cubic meters of sludge, and removing forest cover across 63.89 hectares. Phase 2, extending 5.93 km from Kotnath Mahadev Temple to Vidyakunj, will see the removal of 4.04 lakh cubic meters of soil, 60,601 cubic meters of sludge, and clearing 59.64 hectares of forest, totaling Rs 16.29 crore.
Phase 3, which spans 6.5 km from Vidyakunj to Kashiba Hospital, consists of excavating 3.87 lakh cubic meters of soil, 58,059 cubic meters of sludge removal, and clearing 66.16 hectares of forest for Rs 15.70 crore. The final phase, extending from Kashiba Hospital to Dena over 6.1 km, will involve 3.83 lakh cubic meters of soil excavation, 57,546 cubic meters of sludge removal, and clearing 46.80 hectares of forest, with a budget of Rs 15.37 crore.
This project was launched in response to the flooding challenges that frequently arise during the rainy season. In 2024, the Vishwamitri River overflowed, causing significant urban flooding that displaced over 20,000 people and resulted in extensive damage to infrastructure and agricultural areas.
