R ARIVANANTHAM
AHMEDABAD, FEB 14
Sabarmati River Front, a project to provide Ahmedabad City with an aesthetic waterfront environment on the banks of the Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad was the dream project of Prime Minister Naredra Modi. It was implemented at an estimated cost of Rs 1,500 crores through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) – Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (SRFDCL) – by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation in 2016, said Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation M Thennarasan.
- The ideation of the Sabarmati River Front project was conceptualized by the visionary leader Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat between 2001 and 2005.
- 10,000 families were relocated to alternative sites with accommodation facilities within the city so as to protect their livelihood
The Commissioner told the visiting Tamil Nadu journalists on Tuesday that the ideation of the project was conceptualized by the visionary leader Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat between 2001 and 2005.
From then on the project took the shape with the relocation of over 10,000 families living on the banks of the river with providing alternative accommodation in the city. The relocation was very smooth as the corporation took various efforts to safeguard their livelihood.
The SRFDCL faced the challenge to pluck the pollutant sewage water first with the commissioning of Sewage Treatment Plant (SPT) and the treated was used landscaping and other development activities, he added.
The washing area of the launderer was modernized so that their waste water did not contaminate the river with the construction of a separate Dhobi Khana.
Initially, the project was implemented for 12 kms on both the sides of the river bank with road widening, creating walking pathway, garden, bio-diversity park and also constructed an ultra modern Iron Bridge called Atal Bridge and was thrown open to the public four month ago.
Apart from that the Sabarmati River Front project had also developed a place for conducting big political/social events for rent to generate revenue as well as to tap the investment and maintenance costs.
Replying to a query, Thennarasan said the Sabarmati is not a perennial river, a comprehensive strategy to manage and maintain water in the river throughout the year has been worked out. Water retention in the river shall enable recreational activities as well as recharging the groundwater.
The Vasna Barrage, located just downstream of Ahmedabad, makes it possible to retain water for 15 kilometers upstream, the entire length of the river within the city. The Narmada Canal, which crosses the river a few kilometres upstream from the city, makes it possible to replenish the barrage-retained water that is used up for irrigation or is lost to evaporation and seepage.
A more sustainable alternative is to use treated water from the sewage treatment plants to replenish the river. This is on cards. Hence, the traditionally monsoon-fed Sabarmati shall be able to hold and replenish water year-round.
2nd phase of another 5 km under progress
The Sabarmati Riverfront is seeing further expansion of another 11.5 kilometres in its second phase. Effectively, this will add another five kilometres to the existing riverfront, the civic chief said.
Atal Bridge over SRFDL
This SRFDL has also implemented the Atal bridge, first-of-its-kind in the country to connect west and east part of Sabarmati Riverfront. To feel the joy of walking above the river, this glass Atal bridge is constructed between Sardar Bridge and Ellis Bridge. The bridge is solely for the walking purpose and also having seating arrangements for the people to enjoy the beauty of the river from the bridge. Plantation of various trees are also done to have some green cover on the bridge, he added.
The bridge was inaugurated nearly four months ago has the footfall of over 5 lakh people. On an average 5,000 to 6,000 people are visiting the Atal Bridge, an official said.
