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Time of India

Scarred by deluge, Vadodara to hire 200 swimmers

1 2 3 Vadodara: After the unprecedented flood last year, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) does not seem to want to take any chances. Despite extensive flood mitigation work being carried out, the civic body will be enlisting 200 swimmers for rescue operations in the city in case of any extreme situations. This is the first time in the city's history that the Vadodara Fire and Emergency Response will be hiring swimmers beginning July. VMC will spend nearly Rs 95.58 lakh as wages for these 'rescue volunteers' hired through a Mehsana-based private agency. The floods last Aug submerged the entire city for several days. Under widespread criticism over poor urban planning, a flood mitigation plan was taken up based on the recommendations of a govt-appointed committee. VMC has a system of getting workers through agencies on a contract basis and paying them daily wages. Some drivers in the fire department are also employed in this manner. The swimmers will be hired using the same route. "The conditions include providing trained swimmers along with fitness certificates. In case of an emergency, they will be posted in small groups at locations where flooding is imminent along with our personnel," said VMC chief fire officer Vinay Patil. Patil said that the swimmers were being enlisted as a precaution, as extra hands that can be used if the need arises. Once the swimmers arrive, the rotation of their duties and other details will be worked out. VMC chief fire officer Vinay Patil said that the swimmers were being enlisted as a precaution, as extra hands that can be used if the need arises. Once the swimmers arrive, the rotation of their duties and other details will be worked out. Patil added that the decision to pay daily wages was made to motivate swimmers and compensate them for income forgone for these three months. A proposal to engage the agency providing swimmers has been put up before the standing committee of the civic body. The civic body has completed several flood mitigation tasks, including re-sectioning of the Vishwamitri, dredging ponds, and increasing the capacity of the Ajwa and Pratappura reservoirs. The fire and emergency services department has begun testing rubber boats, including eight newly acquired ones, and other equipment.