Surat: The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) is working toward launching a Water Metro on the Tapi River. Last month, a team from the Kochi Water Metro Project visited Surat to conduct a feasibility study for the project. Now, in a significant step forward, the civic body is expected to carry out a bathymetric survey of the Tapi River soon.

Two technical experts from Kochi Water Metro, Marine Civil Engineer Nishant and Boat Design Expert Arjun Krishna, visited Surat on November 22. During their visit, they conducted a visual inspection of the Tapi River and other related locations, providing a positive preliminary report based on their observations.

The expert team has now requested SMC to provide details for the bathymetric survey. They have also asked for information on various transportation systems to be implemented along the proposed 22 km route on the Tapi River. A bathymetric survey measures the depth of a body of water and maps its underwater features. If the details of this survey are not already available with the civic body, it is expected that the SMC will soon carry out the bathymetric survey to proceed with the project.

Additionally, the Kochi team has requested information regarding docking station locations on both banks of the river, at least two terminals on each side, and the availability of parking space along the 22 km route. They have also sought details about the riverbed level, profile, and summer channels. DeshGujarat