Vadodara: In an effort to prevent a repeat of last year’s devastating floods, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has commenced the construction of a buffer lake at Dena village under the Vishwamitri Project. The groundbreaking ceremony for the lake, funded through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by JCB Yantraman company, was held on Monday, February 24.

The city faced severe flooding on three occasions last year, particularly during July and August, with the most catastrophic event occurring on the night of Janmashtami. This flood left thousands of residents without power for several days.

To address these concerns and prevent future flooding, the state government formed a high-level committee and announced allocation of ₹1,200 crore for the Vishwamitri Project. Based on the committee’s recommendations, the VMC has initiated flood control measures, including the construction of the new lake.

The lake is being built on five hectares of land out of a total of seven hectares in block number 330 and old survey numbers 435 and 436/1 at Dena. The excavation will reach a depth of five to seven meters, allowing the lake to store 25 crore liters of water. This will not only serve as a buffer to mitigate flood risks but also create a new water source for the city.

The project aims to intercept water flowing from Ajwa, preventing approximately 250 MLD (million liters per day) from entering the city during heavy rainfall. Future plans include the development of an intake well and a water treatment plant at the site to provide drinking water to citizens.

The excavation work is being carried out using JCB machinery, funded through CSR of JCB Yantraman company. The project is expected to remove 2.5 lakh cubic meters of soil within two to three months. The municipal corporation will bear the estimated ₹15-16 lakh cost of diesel for the machinery. The ownership of the excavated soil will remain with the corporation.

The construction of this lake marks a significant step in the VMC’s efforts to enhance flood resilience and ensure a sustainable water supply for the residents of Vadodara.