Irrigation minister promises water for Vadodara city

VADODARA, July 13: Major Irrigation Projects Minister Jaynarayan Vyas is reported to have assured the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC...

VADODARA, July 13: Major Irrigation Projects Minister Jaynarayan Vyas is reported to have assured the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) that the Government would give an additional 1.25 crore gallons of water from river Mahisagar to Vadodara.

Mayor Bharati Vyas told reporters on Tuesday that the Minister gave this assurance during her meeting with him on Monday. The supply would be in addition to the quantity which the VMC draws under the Panam Agreement.

It was a preliminary discussion, she said, adding that supply from Fajalpur could be diverted into the pipeline which carries water from Raika and Dodka.

Story continues below this ad

The additional supply would then be diverted into the Fajalpur line and a filtration plant would be set up near Chhani.

The Mayor also expressed willingness to share 50 per cent of the estimated Rs 16 crores required to build waterworks to divert water from the Bhukhi natural water course into river Mini. The overflowing of the Bhukhi has invariably led to floods, especially in the city’s northern parts. This discussion, too, was in a preliminary stage. She said the VMC might also ask industries to contribute for the project.

Vyas also called on Revenue Minister Vajubhai Vala. Vala is reported to have said that the State Government had completed the formality of handing over land to the VMC for constructing over 1,700 houses for the economically weaker sections of society. Vala said that the item would soon be placed before the Cabinet for approval.

Health Minister Ashok Bhatt is also believed to have promised some land belonging to the TB Hospital on Gotri Road for road widening. The Mayor also urged Home Minister Haren Pandya to expedite the process of handing over police land in Danteshwar for road widening.

Story continues below this ad

Sweeping machines: The Bank of Baroda (BoB) on Tuesday presented a cheque for Rs 3 lakh to the VMC for 25 sweeping machines. According to information, to keep the main roads clean, the VMC requires about 200 such machines.

The cheque was presented by P A Bharucha and B M Naik of the BoB to Municipal Commissioner G R Aloria. Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Administration) H S Patel also remained present. The machine is designed in such a manner that it even sucks pebbles and other garbage. It can work on any surface.

The BoB, A S Motors, East Africa Motors, Suresh Shah, Pragati Sahakari Bank, Rotary Club of Baroda, Alembic Limited, Swaminarayan Sahakri Bank, L&T, Transpek Industries Limited, Vadodara Chamber of Commerce, Gujarat Electricity Board, IPCL, Baroda Citizen Council and Yuvraj Industries have together sponsored 63 machines.

Holiday: VMC offices will remain closed on Wednesday on account of Ashadhi beej. However, essential services will not be affected. In lieu of Wednesday’s holiday, the offices will remain open on July 24, fourth Saturday.