Vadodara: In an effort to make Vadodara a flood-free city, the civic body is carrying out multiple projects to rejuvenate the Vishwamitri River. Additionally, the state government’s Irrigation Department will implement projects worth ₹2,460 crore in two phases—short-term and long-term. These include 18 key projects, such as constructing a barrage on the Dhadhar River at ₹350 crore, enhancing the storage capacity of city lakes, and interlinking them.

Following severe flooding last monsoon, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has intensified flood prevention measures. The Corporation is deepening and widening the Ajwa and Pratapura lakes, along with rainwater canals and lakes along the Vishwamitri River. While the Corporation’s work is in progress, the Irrigation Department’s projects are yet to commence. Manjalpur MLA Yogesh Patel wrote to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Irrigation Minister Kunwarji Bavlia on March 20 and March 24, seeking project details and estimated costs. The issue was also discussed in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, after which the Irrigation Minister assured that ₹2,460 crore would be allocated for flood mitigation efforts in Vadodara.

The Irrigation Department’s plan is divided into two phases. The short-term phase, to be completed before the monsoon, involves works worth ₹965 crore, including river channel modifications, dredging, and the construction of a spillway. The long-term phase, spanning two to three years, focuses on widening the Vishwamitri River’s 24-km stretch outside Vadodara, afforestation, sewage treatment diversion, and additional flood control measures.

Short-term planning works before the upcoming monsoon

• Channel modification – Resectioning of the Vishwamitri River: ₹85 crore
• New spillway at Ajwa Sarovar at a 206-feet level: ₹50 crore
• Dredging work at Ajwa-Pratappura Sarovar: ₹25 crore
• New buffer lake at Kotambi and Phaniyara: ₹130 crore
• Increasing storage capacity by dredging Vaddala, Haripura, and Dhanora lakes: ₹60 crore
• Merging point modification – Resectioning of the Dhadhar River with Vishwamitri: ₹10 crore
• Resectioning of main canals of the city – Desilting work: ₹370 crore
• Early warning system: ₹5 crore
• Protection of bridges over the river in the city: ₹30 crore
• Bypass rain channel parallel to National Highway No. 48: ₹200 crore

Long-term planning works for 2-3 years

• Afforestation in the catchment area of Vadodara city and Vishwamitri River upstream: ₹227 crore
• Channel modification – Resectioning of the Vishwamitri River downstream, outside city limits: ₹85 crore
• Barrage construction on the Dhadhar River: ₹350 crore
• Rainwater harvesting: ₹10 crore
• Sewage treatment diversion through a short line: ₹420 crore
• Increasing storage capacity by installing a gate on the waste weir of Pratappura Dam: ₹58 crore

Works to be carried out as a second priority

• Diversion channel construction in the Jambuva River, south of Ajwa Lake: ₹325 crore
• Increasing the storage capacity of Vadodara city lakes and interlinking them: ₹20 crore