Three storm water outlets polluting Sabarmati river closed before clean-up drive

The Sabarmati River clean-up drive began on Thursday. Prior to this, three storm water drainage outlets that were discharging polluted water into the Sabarmati River were closed. 

On the first day of the clean-up, 76 tons of waste were removed from the river, consisting mostly of plastic waste, flags, and other materials. Currently, the Amdavad Municipal Corporation has no plan to deepen the riverbed.

The cleaning operation was initiated by the AMC from the rear side of the Gandhi Ashram. For the first time since 2019, the river is being cleaned with public participation. 

Despite a directive from the Gujarat High Court, storm water drainage continues to flow into the Sabarmati River through certain outlets. The clean-up operation involves the use of machinery such as JCBs, tractors, and Hitachi machines.

As a result, the authorities were compelled to shut down three storm water outlets discharging into the river. In the coming days, a 11-kilometer stretch of the riverfront will be made waste-free.

Two decades ago, the river was deepened in consideration of the riverfront development, but no such dredging has taken place since. AMC Standing Committee Chairman Devang Dani stated that a decision to deepen the river would be taken after meetings with the Ahmedabad Collector and the state irrigation department.

Only 30 BJP councillors present

On the first day of the Sabarmati River clean-up drive, only 30 out of 160 BJP councillors were present. This included five office-bearers, Mayor Pratibha Jain, the Municipal Commissioner Banchha Nidhi Pani and other officials.