Surat: The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has moved ahead with plans to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) aimed at providing a long-term solution to the recurring floods in creeks passing through the city. The DPR will be prepared at an estimated cost of ₹70–80 crore. The decision follows consecutive years of severe flooding and rising public anger over the damage caused each monsoon.

Mayor Dakshesh Mawani and Standing Committee Chairman Rajan Patel on Tuesday presented the outline of the proposed DPR to Minister of State for Water Resources and Water Supply (Independent Charge) Ishwarsinh Patel and Surat in-charge Minister Kanubhai Desai in Gandhinagar. The officials emphasised the urgent need for structural reforms, noting that the Khajod creek stretch from Surat to Bardoli floods every two to three years, leading to widespread waterlogging and high dredging costs.

Patel said the civic body is now pushing for a comprehensive realignment project of the creek. While earlier proposals focused only on the upstream stretch near Kamrej, a preliminary survey has prompted the inclusion of the creek segment flowing through Surat city.

The proposed DPR will cover continuous dredging of the creek, diverting creek water by connecting it to nearby village lakes, realigning hazardous sections, improving culverts, and preparing detailed de-silting plans. A hydraulic study will also be conducted to ensure faster drainage during heavy rainfall.

The survey additionally recommended removing shrimp ponds located near the creek’s mouth, as they obstruct natural water movement and trigger backwater flooding during the monsoon. These ponds are now proposed to be dismantled as part of the new alignment plan.

The DPR will serve as the master framework for long-term mitigation, aiming to eliminate repeated monsoon-related flooding and reduce the financial burden of emergency dredging and damage control each year. DeshGujarat