‘No More Floods Every Year’: Parvat Patiya Residents Seek Permanent Mithi Khadi Solution, Submit Memorandum to Collector

Residents of more than a dozen housing societies in Surat’s Parvat Patiya area have urged the district collector and the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) to implement a permanent solution to the recurring Mithi Khadi flooding, saying thousands of families have suffered repeated losses for over 15 years. The residents submitted a memorandum on Wednesday, demanding scientific planning, restoration of the creek, removal of encroachments, a high-level probe and compensation based on actual losses.

The move came after police denied permission for a planned motorcycle rally against the annual flooding, prompting residents to take their demands directly to the authorities.

Residents seek long-term flood mitigation

Office-bearers and residents from housing societies in Wards 18 and 19 of the Limbayat zone said floodwater enters homes every monsoon, damaging household belongings, vehicles and businesses. They alleged that despite repeated flooding over the years, no lasting solution has been implemented.

In their memorandum, they called for a time-bound action plan instead of temporary measures, urging the administration to permanently resolve the issue.

Call for scientific planning and inquiry

The residents demanded that Mithi Khadi be restored to its original width and that all illegal encroachments along the creek be removed without discrimination.

They also sought a scientific study by expert institutions to identify the causes of the flooding and recommend long-term solutions.

Another key demand was a high-level investigation into the alleged diversion of water from other creeks into Mithi Khadi during 2019-20. According to the memorandum, the diversion may have increased the burden on the creek and worsened flooding in surrounding areas. Residents asked the authorities to make public the approvals and technical reports related to the project and take legal action if any irregularities are found.

Questions over annual dredging expenditure

The memorandum also questioned the effectiveness of the annual dredging of Mithi Khadi, claiming that crores of rupees are spent on the exercise every year while flooding continues unabated.

Residents argued that restoring the creek’s original capacity and adopting scientific planning would be more effective in preventing repeated flooding.

Rally cancelled after police deny permission

Residents had initially planned a motorcycle rally on Wednesday to highlight the issue. The proposed route was to begin from Satyam Shivam Apartment and pass through Model Town, Metro Road, Rokadiya Hanuman, Udhna Darwaja and Vanita Vishram Ground before reaching the district collector’s office.

The rally was cancelled after local police denied permission. A police presence remained in the area, and the situation stayed peaceful.

Following the cancellation, representatives from more than a dozen housing societies visited the district collector’s office and later the SMC office to submit their memorandum.

Demand for compensation and creek restoration

Among the key demands, residents called for compensation for all flood-affected families and businesses based on their actual losses.

They also urged authorities to redirect water from creeks in the Vaalak Patiya area towards the Tapi River to reduce pressure on Mithi Khadi, restore the creek to its recorded width of around 90 metres, and remove all illegal encroachments along its banks.

Ending their appeal, the residents said they were not opposed to development but wanted a permanent solution to a problem that has disrupted the lives and livelihoods of thousands of families year after year. Under the slogan, “No more floods every year; we want a permanent solution now,” they urged the administration to act without further delay.