2 years after constructing storm water channels,VMC says they are dangerous

“The total length of storm water drainage across the city is about 60 km and it is completely open. We have observed that during monsoon these drains turn dangerous as a number of animals and at times citizens fall into it. We have now decided to cover the channels with the concrete slabs,” he said.

The citizens suffered because of manholes and open channels in the last two monsoons. The storm water drainages got choked and stray cattle fell into it ion several areas. “This is nothing but a classic case of mismanagement and wastage of public funds. Nowhere in the world drainages are first made and the procedure to place lids on them is made two years after,” said Chirag Zaveri,the opposition leader in the corporation.

He said every year many people fall into these channels. “At least three such incidents have already taken place this time including fall of a four-wheeler in the drainage. If this is the situation before the monsoon,one can imagine what will happen during the situation,” said Zaveri.

Meanwhile,concerned officials said though the channels will be covered up with concrete slabs,provisions will be made to clean them up. “An entry point and sufficient space inside will help the maintenance people in cleaning the channels up in case they choke up,” said an official at VMC.

He said it will also be ensured that the slabs are of good quality so that they are not damaged causing any untoward incident.

Alternative traffic arrangement made as work begins on Lal Baug ROB project

With the start of the work on Lal Baug Rail Over Bridge,the city police have changed the route for the vehicular movement. The stretch where the Vadodara Municipal Corporation is initiating the project is one of the busiest roads in the city.

As the work on the bridge will continue for at least for one year,it is necessary to make alternative traffic arrangement,said VMC officials.

According to Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) N C Patel,heavy vehicles entering into the city will not be allowed to enter from Lal Baug. “Instead of entering from Darbar Chowkdy,heavy vehicles will have to take entry from Jambuva bypass to National Highway. From there,they will move to Golden Chowkdy,VIP road,Amit Nagar Circle and Fatehgunj Circle to reach Shastri Bridge. No heavy vehicles will be allowed to move from Makarpura police station to Lal Baug railway crossing.”

Further,heavy vehicles coming from Gorwa,Gotri and Old Padra road will have to move to Munj-Mahuda Circle from where they will take the route to GEB circle. From there,they will pass from Fatehgunj Circle,Amit Nagar Circle and eventually reach the highway from Golden Chowkdy.

Meanwhile,VMC on Friday demolished illegal constructions,which had mushroomed on Lal Baug-Pratapnagar road. The officials from encroachment department said illegally constructed Hotel La-Ba which existed for more than a decade was razed to the ground. The encroachments were also removed from Baranpura area of the city where VMC officials had to face resistance from local residents. VMC had to take police protection after stones were pelted at them during the demolition drive.