The Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad, which has remained largely dry for nearly two months due to repair work at the Vasna Barrage, is set to be refilled from June 22.
Water had been drained from the river to facilitate the repair and replacement of gates at the Vasna Barrage. However, with the annual Jal Yatra of the Jagannath Temple approaching ahead of the Rath Yatra festival, authorities have decided to restore the river’s water level.
Announcing the decision on Thursday, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) Standing Committee Chairman Devang Dani said a proposal had been submitted to the Irrigation Department seeking the release of water into the Sabarmati. According to him, water is expected to start flowing into the river by June 22.
Meanwhile, concerns were raised after a video showing dead fish near the railway bridge on the Sabarmati River surfaced on social media. Following the incident, officials of the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Ltd. (SRFDCL) conducted an inspection of the area.
Preliminary findings suggest that the fish deaths were caused by the significant drop in the river’s water level. Officials estimated that between 50 and 100 fish were found dead at the location.
Although repair work on the barrage gates is still underway, authorities have decided to prioritise arrangements for the religious event and ensure adequate water levels in the river before the Jal Yatra procession.
The move is expected to facilitate the smooth conduct of the annual ritual while also improving the condition of the riverfront stretch ahead of the upcoming Rath Yatra celebrations.