Raging Vishwamitri rocks VMCs pipe dream The rising water level in Vishwamitri River for the last two days has put a question mark on the Vadodara Municipal Corporations (VMC) proposed Vishwamitri Rejuvenation Project,which was much touted by the ruling BJP. While the irrigation department is yet to give a serious response,even the money spent by the VMC on the pathways along the banks of the river as part of the project is likely to go down the drain,with officials now saying these will be submerged during the monsoons. The civic body had planned to build various facilities on and near these pathways. The irrigation department is yet to furnish a detailed feasibility report,which is crucial to the design of the project. With Vishwamitri flowing at 25 feet for almost three after heavy rains lashed the city on Thursday,officials say the pathways could be damaged as they were during last years rains. We have not received a detailed report from the irrigation department. We hope it gives us crucial data pertaining to water levels in the river,its water bearing capacity and other details. But even if water level goes up to 25 feet,we will not increase the height of the pathways. They will be designed in a way that even if submerged,they are not damaged, said Dhiran Talpada,the executive engineer who oversees the Vishwamitri Rejuvenation Project. The BJP-led VMC has already announced the formation of the company to carry out the project. They are replicating the Sabarmati Riverfront Project,which is a big mistake since the two rivers are different. For a similar kind of infrastructure,they will have to raise the height of pathways. They will also need more land,which is not available.
