Sabarmati riverfront by 2010
Renu Rajaram
The Sabarmati riverfront development project in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is progressing at a fast pace. Phase-I of the project, extending from the railway bridge near Sabarmati Ashram to Vasna barrage, is over, and work on phase-II has begun. The project, located along 10 km of the river bank, is expected to be complete by 2010—and promises to give a new face to Ahmedabad. The total investment in the two phases is likely to touch Rs 700 crore.
The scheme envisages comprehensive development of both the banks of the historical river which passes through the centre of the walled city. It involves river dredging, constructing retaining walls, providing storm water outfalls, ghats and jetties, reclaiming 162 hectares, providing interceptor sewers, creating parks gardens, designing new streets and promenades with better street lighting, and housing for economically weaker sections.
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation floated Sabarmati River Front Development Corporation Ltd in 1997, though the project was inaugurated only in April 2003, and actual work on the project started in early 2005. SRFDCL appointed Environmental Planning Collaborative, a city-based not-for-profit urban planning and development management consulting firm to prepare a comprehensive proposal for the development of Sabarmati riverfront.
Anand Patel, Architect, HCP Design and Project Management, a sister concern of EPC, says that major works undertaken so far include construction of a two ft thick and 40-55 ft deep 'diaphragm' to separate the 30-ft wide promenade or walkway and a 'retention' wall which is being built along the promenade. Though the walkway is almost complete, it is not yet open for public as work on the wall is still in progress. SRFDCL has so far spent Rs 250 crore on phase-I.
About 70 per cent work on laying 'interceptor' sewers on either side of the river has been completed. The two sewer lines will carry the city's sewage to the two treatment plants in Vasna and Pirana, thereby keeping the river clean, which remains polluted as sewage falls directly into it.
SRFDCL officials said currently work is on for reclamation of about 162 hectares along the riverbank. This would help generate enough land for construction of roads, gardens, markets, commercial and residential space, public utilities, ghats and promenades on either side of the river. According to officials, the land would be available by April-May 2009. About 28 per cent land would be consumed for road development, 26 per cent for gardens and 22 per cent (4.62 hectares) for sale for development of commercial and residential purpose.
River Sabarmati flows from north to south in the centre of Ahmedabad, splitting the city in almost two equal parts. Appropriate development of the riverfront can turn the river into a major asset and improve the quality of environment and life as well as infrastructure in the city.
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana: