VMC,state forest officials skip meet on Vishwamitri riverfront project

Sadly,besides invitees like Vadodara Urban Development Authority chairman N V Patel,prominent officials in Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) and state Forest Department were not present at the conference.

Meanwhile,VUDA Chairman N V Patel,who was present on the occasion,raised the issue of illegal construction on the stormwater channels during his speech.

He said: “The construction at the stormwater channel is increasing but somehow it has gone unnoticed. The digging work in the name of Vishwamitri project is good but VMC should ensure that it becomes a holistic project. Preservation of the ponds in the city is also an important issue and it has direct relation with Vishwamitri.”

Environmentalist Avi Sabawala,while raising the issue of crocodiles in Vishwamitri,said: “The river is unique as it has a large number of crocodiles in it despite flowing from the heart of the city. Instead of developing it as the riverfront project,VMC should try and keep the river in its natural form,so that the ecological balance is maintained.”

The issues related to mapping of the land where plantation can be done and its availability to the people was also discussed,though nothing was finalised.