15.52 lakh cubic metres silt removed, Vadodara civic body to install coir nets on Vishwamitri banks to prevent erosion
With the June 15 deadline for the Vishwamitri river revival and flood mitigation project drawing closer, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has removed 15.52 lakh cubic metres of silt from the water body.
To prevent a washout during monsoon, the civic body has decided to install coir nets for riverbank stabilisation.
Notably, the amount of silt removed from the river is only half of the 34.98 lakh cubic metre of sludge extracted from different water bodies, including lakes, reservoirs and drains, in the city as part of the project.
The civic body, meanwhile, said that 90% of the work on the Vishwamitri project had been completed.
The VMC has issued tenders to procure 1.35 lakh square meters of high-strength erosion control coir mats that will enable stabilisation and reinforcement of the riverbank once the ongoing work of desilting and dredging is complete.
Experts said coir matting is helpful in holding the soil in place.
In a statement, the civic body said, 'Following the work of resurfacing, currently ongoing in the Vishwamitri river, in order to arrest the erosion of the river bank, installation of 1.35 lakh square meters of coir will be undertaken… Similarly, directions have been issued to dismantle the ramps created for movement of machines at 60 points along the riverbank, immediately after the completion of the work.'
The VMC said, 'The work is currently on in the last phase, and close to 15.15 lakh cubic metres of silt has been removed while about five kilometre stretch is now remaining to be completed.'
On Friday, the VMC said that it had extracted a total of 34.69 lakh cubic metres of silt during simultaneous projects — the deepening of the Ajwa and Pratappura reservoirs, creation of pond in Dena, dredging of the lakes in the city as well as clearing of various storm water drains. A total of 8.5 lakh cubic metre and 3.92 lakh cubic metre of silt was removed from Pratappura and Ajwa reservoirs, respectively. The VMC further said it had cleared 175 hectares of shrubs from around the river periphery.
The civic body stated that a total of 967 metric tonnes of plastic waste had been extracted from the Vishwamitri river during the ongoing desilting and re-sectioning work, which has been sent for processing and recycling to the authorised agency of the Gujarat Pollution Control Board.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Rohit Prajapati of Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti said that the installation of coir mats was one of the significant steps in the restoration of the river. It was on the petition of this organisation that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had issued directions on implementation of the 'Vishwamitri River Action Plan', including the action points.
Prajapati, who is part of the committee appointed by the Gujarat State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) to supervise the project and submit a report every fortnight, said, 'The installation of the coir mats is a mandatory step recommended by city-based environmentalists as per the order of the NGT. It is necessary and therefore, the civic body has accepted the recommendation and tendered for the same.'
Urban planner Neha Sarwate, who is part of the Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti, explained that coir mats dissolve in the soil over a period of time after anchoring vegetation growth to prevent erosion. 'The coir matting for bank stabilisation is helpful in holding the soil in place and also anchors vegetation. For alluvial plain and clay soil as in Vadodara's Vishwamitri river bank, the coir matting will be a protective layer as steep slopes need to be stabilised. It usually stays for two years and then dissolves into the soil…,' she told The Indian Express.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Rapid action force teams to tackle rainwater stagnation in Vijayawada
Vijayawada: To tackle rainwater stagnation in low-lying areas and on roads during the monsoon season, the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) has formed separate rapid action force teams. These teams will ensure the immediate clearance of rainwater stagnation at key points by deploying Airtechs and Gulfer machines to suction stagnant water across the three circles under the civic body's jurisdiction. The civic body has identified a total of 43 rainwater stagnation points — 18 located in VIP areas, 10 in commercial areas, and the remaining 15 in residential areas across the three circles of the city. Locations such as the Durga Temple Downhill near Masjid, VMC headwater works, VMC main office underpass, Bandar Road, and Polyclinic Road have been categorised as VIP zones. Areas like the low bridge near KR Market, Eluru Road, NRP Road–Gandhi Nagar, and Singh Nagar Main Road fall under the commercial category. Meanwhile, the APIIC Colony, Rajiv Nagar Katta internal roads, and Kummaripalem Centre are classified under the residential category.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Time of India
Drain cleaning, beautification drive in focus as UP minister reviews projects
1 2 Varanasi: Urban Development Minister AK Sharma on Tuesday chaired a review meeting of the department here, with focus on drain cleaning, water management, anti-encroachment measures, and beautification projects across the city. Municipal commissioner Akshat Verma presented a detailed overview of the ongoing civic works under the Varanasi Municipal Corporation (VMC). Verma highlighted the phased cleaning of sewer lines and stormwater drains using advanced equipment, including super sucker and bucket machines, being carried out by the Water Works department. To tackle waterlogging ahead of the monsoon, the commissioner informed that 80 vulnerable locations have been identified, with adequate pump arrangements already in place. He also briefed the minister about the city's water supply system, which is currently supported by two water treatment plants (WTPs), along with the installation of 41 new tube wells and 152 hand pumps. Verma said that a zone-wise identification of encroachments has been completed and notices are being served to violators, mandating removal within two days. A dedicated anti-encroachment campaign will commence from May 30, with fines to be imposed on defaulters. The commissioner also updated the minister on various development initiatives underway, including the construction of a Senior Care Center and a City Facility Center, progress on municipal bond initiatives, beautification of city ponds, the CM Grid project, digitisation of birth and death records, and the rollout of the Smart Kashi mobile application. Issuing directives, Minister Sharma instructed that 100 percent cleaning of all drains and sewers — both large and small — must be completed within the next 15 days. He emphasized timely removal of silt and the enforcement of anti-encroachment measures without delay. Sharma also suggested landscaping road shoulders with grass or creating pedestrian pathways, and stressed the goal of making Varanasi dust-free. He called for better organisation of street vendors and intensified public awareness to prevent littering. Highlighting the cultural significance of the city, the minister directed that memorials be constructed near the residences of notable personalities and Padma awardees as part of a broader beautification initiative.
Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Indian Express
15.52 lakh cubic metres silt removed, Vadodara civic body to install coir nets on Vishwamitri banks to prevent erosion
With the June 15 deadline for the Vishwamitri river revival and flood mitigation project drawing closer, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has removed 15.52 lakh cubic metres of silt from the water body. To prevent a washout during monsoon, the civic body has decided to install coir nets for riverbank stabilisation. Notably, the amount of silt removed from the river is only half of the 34.98 lakh cubic metre of sludge extracted from different water bodies, including lakes, reservoirs and drains, in the city as part of the project. The civic body, meanwhile, said that 90% of the work on the Vishwamitri project had been completed. The VMC has issued tenders to procure 1.35 lakh square meters of high-strength erosion control coir mats that will enable stabilisation and reinforcement of the riverbank once the ongoing work of desilting and dredging is complete. Experts said coir matting is helpful in holding the soil in place. In a statement, the civic body said, 'Following the work of resurfacing, currently ongoing in the Vishwamitri river, in order to arrest the erosion of the river bank, installation of 1.35 lakh square meters of coir will be undertaken… Similarly, directions have been issued to dismantle the ramps created for movement of machines at 60 points along the riverbank, immediately after the completion of the work.' The VMC said, 'The work is currently on in the last phase, and close to 15.15 lakh cubic metres of silt has been removed while about five kilometre stretch is now remaining to be completed.' On Friday, the VMC said that it had extracted a total of 34.69 lakh cubic metres of silt during simultaneous projects — the deepening of the Ajwa and Pratappura reservoirs, creation of pond in Dena, dredging of the lakes in the city as well as clearing of various storm water drains. A total of 8.5 lakh cubic metre and 3.92 lakh cubic metre of silt was removed from Pratappura and Ajwa reservoirs, respectively. The VMC further said it had cleared 175 hectares of shrubs from around the river periphery. The civic body stated that a total of 967 metric tonnes of plastic waste had been extracted from the Vishwamitri river during the ongoing desilting and re-sectioning work, which has been sent for processing and recycling to the authorised agency of the Gujarat Pollution Control Board. Speaking to The Indian Express, Rohit Prajapati of Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti said that the installation of coir mats was one of the significant steps in the restoration of the river. It was on the petition of this organisation that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had issued directions on implementation of the 'Vishwamitri River Action Plan', including the action points. Prajapati, who is part of the committee appointed by the Gujarat State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) to supervise the project and submit a report every fortnight, said, 'The installation of the coir mats is a mandatory step recommended by city-based environmentalists as per the order of the NGT. It is necessary and therefore, the civic body has accepted the recommendation and tendered for the same.' Urban planner Neha Sarwate, who is part of the Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti, explained that coir mats dissolve in the soil over a period of time after anchoring vegetation growth to prevent erosion. 'The coir matting for bank stabilisation is helpful in holding the soil in place and also anchors vegetation. For alluvial plain and clay soil as in Vadodara's Vishwamitri river bank, the coir matting will be a protective layer as steep slopes need to be stabilised. It usually stays for two years and then dissolves into the soil…,' she told The Indian Express.
