In the wake of devastating floods that have ruined Vadodara, the Gujarat government has announced plans to revive a long-stalled project to revitalise the Vishwamitri River. The ₹1,200 crore project, first proposed in 2008, aims to expand the river’s capacity and remove illegal encroachments along its banks.

The decision to resurrect the project comes amidst growing public anger and criticism of local authorities for their handling of the flood situation. Officially, eight deaths have been reported, with many middle-class and poor families becoming homeless. The government is facing intense pressure to address the crisis.

The Vishwamitri River Revival and Redevelopment project, if implemented, would involve widening the riverbed, constructing new embankments, and removing illegal structures that have obstructed the river's natural flow. The government has directed local authorities to establish committees to provide immediate relief to affected residents and assess the damage caused by the floods.

As the floodwaters recede, concerns about sanitation and public health are mounting. The state health department has been instructed to take preventive measures to prevent disease outbreaks. The minister in charge of Vadodara has assured that the river revival project will be expedited to mitigate future flood risks.

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