Gabion walls planned for 12 Vishwamitri bridges to curb erosion
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The initiative follows recommendations by a high-level committee formed by the state govt to suggest flood mitigation measures.
Last year's floods led to erosion at several locations, even as the VMC undertook extensive re-sectioning of the riverbanks. Dredging work along the banks is also expected to cause further erosion, prompting the need for bank stabilisation efforts.
To safeguard the structural integrity of bridges during future floods, the state-appointed committee recommended the construction of gabion walls around bridge pillars.
These stone-filled mesh structures prevent soil erosion around the foundations, ensuring the stability and support of the pillars.
The VMC will build gabion walls at 12 bridges across the city. A consultant was appointed for the project, and tenders were floated. The civic body's tender committee has finalised a contractor, approving a budget of Rs 36.7 crore — 14.13% below the estimated cost of Rs 42.74 crore.
The civic body's standing committee discussed and approved the proposal on Friday, with additional conditions.
One of the key conditions is that the work must comply with the Indian Standards (IS) code. "The defect liability period was initially set at three years, but it was extended to five years," said Standing Committee chairman Sheetal Mistry.
Protection walls for buildings near river
The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) will construct gabion walls at 12 locations along the Vishwamitri river to prevent future soil erosion from affecting buildings situated on its banks. The civic body will spend Rs 36.42 crore on these protective structures. As with the bridge-related project, the VMC's standing committee has approved the proposal with certain conditions — the work must adhere to the IS code, and the defect liability period has been set at five years.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
Farmer dies by suicide in Nidasosi
Belagavi: A farmer died by suicide after getting upset over the property auction process in Nidasosi village of Hukkeri taluk on Friday. It is said that the farmer was distressed after a private finance company, which gave him a loan, put up a notice in the village. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The deceased farmer was identified as Veerabhadra Basavanni Madannavar, 40. He reportedly took a loan of Rs 9.9 lakh from a Mumbai-based private finance company and did not repay it on time. The finance company posted a notice in the village stating that his house would be auctioned for non-repayment. Additionally, this was made public in the village through an announcement in a rickshaw. According to police, the preliminary investigation revealed that the farmer Veerabhadra, who was depressed following the announcement in the village, may have died by suicide by hanging himself. Veerabhadra, who engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry, could not repay the loan on time due to the losses he incurred. It is learnt that he also sold his land. Basavanni Madannavar, the father of the deceased farmer, expressed his anger to the media, stating that the financier is responsible for his son's death. The deceased farmer is survived by his parents, wife, and five daughters. Sankeshwar police inspected the spot and registered a complaint.
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
Former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik slams govt for scrapping metro project
Former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has lashed out at the BJP-led state government for scrapping the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail project . Patnaik, in a strongly worded post on X, called it a betrayal of the city's future. "The Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project would have reshaped how the city moves. Now, the double-engine government has pushed it 10 years back," Patnaik wrote. The first phase of the Rs 6,255 crore project, from the airport to Trisulia, was greenlit during Patnaik's tenure and scheduled to complete by December 2027. But the project was shelved recently, with DMRC issuing termination notices to contractors. The BJP government defended the move, saying the earlier route wasn't viable and that a more expansive Puri-Bhubaneswar-Cuttack corridor is being planned. "We are preparing a new DPR and forming a committee to study similar metros. The revised plan will connect all major cities," said Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra . Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Amid tariff threat, PM pledges to protect farmers, MSMEs & youth
Varanasi: Amid the tariff stalemate with the USA, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday sent a strong message to the world that protecting India's economic interest was paramount. Speaking in his parliamentary constituency on Saturday, the PM emphasised that the "top priority of the government remains the welfare of farmers, small industries and employment for youth." He reaffirmed the resilience of the Indian economy, saying that the country must remain vigilant about its economic interests and adopt 'swadeshi' products. "There is an atmosphere of global instability. All countries are focusing on their individual interests. India is going to become the third biggest economy in the world and this is why India will have to stay alert as far as its economic interests are concerned," the PM said, two days after UP President Donald Trump called India a 'dead economy'. CM Yogi Adityanath and two deputy CMs, Keshav Maurya and Brajesh Pathak were present on the occasion. Addressing a public gathering at Kalikadham in Sevapuri after transferring Rs 20,500 crore directly into the bank accounts of over 9.70 crore farmers as the 20th installment of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme and inaugurating and laying the foundation of 52 projects worth around Rs 2,200 crore, the PM urged people to go 'Vocal for Local'. "Anyone who wishes good for the country and wants to see India become the third-largest economy must encourage this spirit of going local," he said. The PM urged traders to promote 'swadeshi' products, terming it a true national service, and appealed to citizens to use Indian-made goods during the upcoming festivals and wedding seasons. He also advised people to hold weddings in India instead of abroad, highlighting that many young people were already doing so. "Every choice we make in favour of 'Swadeshi' will shape the future of the country. With everyone's effort, the dream of a developed India will come true. From now on, let's pledge to buy and decorate our homes with only Indian-made products," he added. Modi highlighted his government's farmer-centric policies, stating that unlike previous governments, the BJP administration has fulfilled its promises to farmers, citing the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi as a prime example. "When this scheme was launched, opposition parties like the Samajwadi Party and Congress left no stone unturned to mislead farmers by claiming that after the 2019 Lok Sabha election, it would be stopped and even the money transferred into the accounts of farmers would be taken back. However, Rs 3.75 lakh crore has been transferred directly to farmers' accounts so far," he said. In UP alone, 2.5 crore farmers have received over Rs 90,000 crore, while farmers from Kashi got Rs 900 crore, he added. Referring to the transparency maintained in the schemes of his govt, Modi said, "There are no cuts, commissions, or middlemen. We created a permanent system where there's no leakage and no one can steal the rights of the poor." Prime Minister Modi emphasized developing the most backward regions with his mantra of 'High priority to more backward'. He highlighted the newly approved PM Dhan Dhanya Agriculture Scheme, focusing on underdeveloped districts with low crop production and income. He said the govt will invest Rs 24,000 crore in this scheme to support farmers from 'lab to field' and 'seed to market' for their products. Massive investments are being made in irrigation, and under the PM Fasal Bima Yojana, over Rs 1.75 lakh crore in claims were already paid out to farmers. Modi also mentioned a record increase in the MSP for farmers. Emphasising the govt's focus on boosting women's participation in agriculture through initiatives like Lakhpati Didi and Drone Didi, he stated that the aim is to empower 3 crore rural women financially, with over 1.5 crore already becoming Lakhpati Didis. Taking a subtle dig at the opposition, the PM said: "Hearing these numbers, SP leaders might just hop on their cycles and run away. " Despite agriculture being a state subject, the Centre has taken proactive steps to enhance farmers' income and living standards by implementing beneficial schemes, PM Modi said. He praised banks for launching a mega campaign and holding fairs in villages across the country for KYC renewal of the account holders under the Jan-Dhan scheme on the completion of its 10 years of launching. Modi also marked the distribution of assistive devices under the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana to 2,000 Divyangs by handing over devices, including low vision glasses to Babli Kumari (visually impaired student), sports wheelchairs to Santosh Kumar Pandey and Vikas Kumar Patel, hearing aids to Kishun, and a motorized tricycle to Sita Kumari Pal (teacher). Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan joined the event virtually from Patna. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
