Vadodara: At the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference held at GSFC University, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) gave a glimpse of several key projects for the future development of the city. These include a proposal for a state-of-the-art safari park at Ajwa at a cost of ₹480 crore, a linear park at Bhayli, and a new crocodile-shaped pedestrian bridge at Kamatibagh.

The VMC has prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for developing a modern safari park on about 150 acres of land it owns at Ajwa near the city. The project is estimated to cost about ₹480 crore. For this, a proposal has been sent seeking financial assistance under the Central Government’s Urban Challenge Fund and, according to the municipal corporation, it has received a positive response.

According to municipal officials, once the project is approved, a major eco-tourism destination will be developed near Vadodara. At present, due to space limitations in Kamatibagh, it is not possible to keep large animals such as giraffes, zebras, elephants, rhinoceroses, bears, hippos, and ostriches. The new safari park, however, will be able to accommodate a wide variety of animals from India and abroad.

There are plans to develop facilities including cafés, food courts, water shows, theatres, aquariums, interpretation centres, eco-resorts, animal hospitals, and walk-in aviaries in the safari park. The municipal corporation believes that this project will promote tourism, generate revenue, and create new employment opportunities.

In addition, the civic body proposes to develop a linear park of about 1.2 kilometres along the Narmada Canal from Priya Talkies Crossroads to Bhayli Crossroads. Using the available space, which averages 9 metres in width along the canal, facilities such as cycle tracks, walkways, greenery, plantations, an open-air gym, a children’s play zone, sculptures, glow installations, and parking will be created. A consultant has also been appointed for this project. DeshGujarat