Gujaratstartups, VADODARA: Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) plans to establish a body for the development of Vishwamitri river on the lines of the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Limited. The issue has been taken up with the state government and if it gives the nod, the corporation will be set up.

The need for such a corporation was felt by the civic body as the work on Vishwamitri requires long-time efforts and would involve different agencies besides the VMC. Presently, the civic body has decided to focus on rejuvenation and resectioning of the river. Efforts are also being made to ensure that the sewage water is not released into the river.

Vadodara mayor and MP Balkrishna Shukla said the project is not one that can be taken care of in a short period. "It might take a long time, may be even 20 to 25 years, to develop a riverfront on Vishwamitri. It will be better if we have an entity that takes care of the project consistently irrespective of the changes in the civic body," Shukla said.

Sources said the reason for this thinking is because those at the helm of affairs in the civic body regularly keep changing, but the work on the river has to continue. They added that the actual riverfront may take a long time in shaping up, also in ensuring that the river is free of sewage, there are no slums on its banks and it does not get flooded.

Functionaries in the civic body said that a separate entity will also be helpful as it could have representatives from various government departments for better coordination. VMC has to deal with the irrigation department, city survey office and others over the issue.

Source: Times of India