The Sabarmati River clean-up drive started on Thursday. Before the drive began, three storm water drains releasing polluted water into the river were shut down.
On the first day, 76 tons of waste mainly plastic, flags, and other debris were taken out of the river. At present, the Amdavad Municipal Corporation has no plans 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 Attend River Clean-Up Launch
On the first day of the Sabarmati River clean-up drive, just 30 out of 160 BJP councillors were present. Among them were five office-bearers, Mayor Pratibha Jain, Municipal Commissioner Banchha Nidhi Pani, and other officials.