Flood mitigation: Work begins on approach road along Vishwamitri river in Vadodara

VMC, which is currently in the process of floating a tender to hire an agency to carry out the process of desilting (the removal of sediment and silt to restore its natural capacity), began the work of creating approach roads at various points of the river.

On Friday, hydraulic excavators were brought to level the river bank and create an approach road to allow movement.

“Desilting will help us increase its carrying capacity and we have begun the process of the tender for the same. Whenever we receive the clearance from the Forest and Wildlife department, we will begin the work. However, if we have already prepared in advance, we will be able to expedite the process. Currently, we are not doing any activity in the river but identifying landing points where we will need to bring in machines for the desilting as well as disposal of the silt,” said Municipal Commissioner Dilip Rana.

Among the recommendations of the committee, officials said, is also the creation of a weir for Ajwa Reservoir, from where the water flows into Vishwamitri. The meeting points of Vishwamitri with rivers along its course such as Surya, Jambuva, and Dadhar will also be deepened in order to increase their capacity. The plan also includes cleaning and deepening the Ruparel, Masiya and Bhooki canals within the city.