Vadodara: In a proactive move to prevent future flooding disasters, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has announced plans to deepen eight lakes in the city without incurring any new expenses. This initiative aims to increase the water storage capacity of these lakes, mitigating the risk of overflow during heavy monsoon rains.

The decision comes in the wake of severe flooding last monsoon, which caused significant damage throughout Vadodara. The VMC, under the guidance of the State government appointed Flood Control Panel, is implementing various measures to make the city flood-proof. One of the key strategies is to deepen existing water bodies to accommodate greater volumes of rainwater.

After starting the works for deepening of Ajwa and Pratapura lakes, the VMC will now extend the project to eight other lakes in areas including Chhani, Manjalpur, Kapurai, and Jijamata. These lakes will be deepened by 1.5 meters, resulting in the excavation of approximately 3.29 lakh cubic meters of soil. This effort is expected to increase the total water storage capacity by 32.94 crore liters.

The VMC is utilizing an Expression of Interest (EOI) model, attracting contractors who are willing to undertake the work without direct payment from the corporation. This method allows the VMC to save an estimated ₹6.58 crore, which would have been spent if the project had been executed through standard Schedule of Rates (SOR).

“By deepening these lakes before the monsoon, we aim to significantly reduce the risk of flooding in residential areas,” said a VMC official. “Currently, these lakes hold only 10-15% of their capacity. Deepening them will ensure better water retention and provide much-needed relief to citizens during heavy rainfall.”

The project will employ heavy machinery such as excavators and JCBs to remove the soil, which will be repurposed elsewhere. The VMC plans to complete the work before the onset of the monsoon season.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to manage the city’s 40 lakes, with the current phase focusing on the most critical eight. DeshGujarat