Vadodara: Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday gave in-principle approval to the Rs 1,200 crore Vishwamitri Revival and Redevelopment Project. This long-awaited project, aimed at establishing a comprehensive water management system, has been under discussion for over a decade. Patel, who was visiting the flood-hit city, held meetings with senior officials of the district administration and the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) at the district collectorate.

Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi, who also serves as the in-charge minister for Vadodara, shared details of the project with the media. Sanghavi said, “Permission for the Vishwamitri Revival and Redevelopment Project was requested from the Chief Minister, who in a matter of seconds gave in-principle approval to this project for the benefit of Vadodara’s citizens, approving the funding of Rs 1,200 crore for this project. This is a historical project as it will include studies on the river’s carrying capacity and other aspects.” He stated that the administration had been directed to prepare a plan and submit it as soon as possible.

The Vishwamitri Revival project, inspired by the Sabarmati Riverfront, was first proposed by VMC in 2008, but despite state government support, it never progressed. Environmental concerns halted the project in 2016, and while it was later included in the Smart City initiative and NRCP, and a Detailed Project Report (DPR) was completed in 2021, no further developments have occurred since.

As of this morning at 10 a.m., the Vishwamitri river’s water level had decreased below the danger level of 26 feet and is now at 24.60 feet. The river had exceeded the 26-foot danger mark on Tuesday morning and had reached up to 37 feet in the last few days due to heavy rainfall and water release from the Ajwa dam. DeshGujarat