Skip to main content

Architects, urban planners ask Gujarat authorities not to repeat Sabarmati riverfront "model" in Vadodara

By Our Representative
Expressing serious concern over the proposed Vishwamitri Riverfront Development Project (VRDP) in Vadodara, Gujarat’s cultural capital, on lines of the Sabarmati riverfront project in Ahmedabad, showcased as urban model for other states to follow, prominent citizens of the city have come together to demand “a thorough and immediate re-look” into it and “reconceptualize” it. “A major problem with the proposed plans and designs is that they fail to recognize that Vishwamitri river is not like the Sabarmati in Ahmedabad, or Tapi in Surat”, they say.
Pointing out that Vadodara’s “physical and cultural characteristics, socio-economic constraints and opportunities, and ecological values are very different and unique”, the citizens say, “What is done for the Sabarmati Riverfront Development (SRDP) should not and must not be repeated for VRDP. We do not want our river to be treated in a piecemeal manner and only for its selected ‘front’, the same way as the Sabarmati in Ahmedabad is treated”. The reference was to Sabarmati riverfront’s beautification for just 10 km stretch; on the downstream for the next 100 km it turns into gutter.
Among those who have drafted the statement – called “petition” – on Vishwamitri include Dr Shishir R Raval, landscape architect and natural resources manager; Sailesh Nair, president, Indian Institute of Architects; Punita Mehta, architect and urban designer; Sanjeev Joshi, architect, urbanist, co-convener of INTACH, Gujarat State; Trupti Shah, economist and activist with Sahiyar, Sonia Nair, landscape architect, Shreya Dalwadi, urban planner; Neha Sarvate, urban planner; Kareena Kochery, architect; and Dhara Patel, architect.
The petition has been submitted to Vadodara municipal commissioner Manoj Bharadwaj, and copy has been sent to chief minister Anandiben Patel.
The citizens underline, “We want our river’s environs to be far less engineered and far more natural while allowing for suitable and compatible development along its corridor”, adding, a problems with the proposed VRDP plans and designs is that “they fail to see the waterfront in the larger systematic / watershed level and they do not take into account progressive international case studies and examples where canalized rivers are turned back into more natural profiles while also accruing more socio-economic and ecological benefits for the entire city and its eco-region.”
Demanding a “wider range of participation from other relevant and needed voices from the city and its eco-region is crucial”, the citizens says, “Genuine and continuous participation from our city’s and eco-region’s academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, private sectors, and common citizens is missing. Such participation must be assured by all levels of government authorities for all stages of development decisions.”
Also taking exception to the Sursagar Development Project (SDP), the citizens says, “For this SDP too, our concerns are based on the information found in the local media and personal networks among the anxious citizens. The description of the project talks about the proposed gateways, fountains, gardens, “Ganesh visarjan areas”, boating, etc.”
However, the project seems “like a disjointed effort at mere beautification. It is not concerned with its ecological, urban design, architectural, or socio-economic and cultural forces or opportunities associated with this historical water body and its link to Vishwamitri river.”
Pointing out these projects should be looked at in a larger context, the citizens say, “Under the various Central and State Governments’ programmes and schemes (such as, the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and Golden Jubilee Chief Minister Urban Development Scheme) our city, Vadodara, and its eco-region are going to get crores of rupees of investment and, thereby, experience tremendous spurt of planned development as well as ad hoc growth.”
They add, “All such development projects are affecting and will continue to affect even more aspects of our city and its eco-region. Major aspects include natural and cultural heritage, ecological patterns and processes, socio-economic opportunities, urban and regional character, experiential quality, and quality of life for all. We must also ensure that these programs and schemes are more inclusive and progressive and result in more desirable outcomes, in the short and the long term.”

Comments

TRENDING

Savarkar 'criminally betrayed' Netaji and his INA by siding with the British rulers

By Shamsul Islam* RSS-BJP rulers of India have been trying to show off as great fans of Netaji. But Indians must know what role ideological parents of today's RSS/BJP played against Netaji and Indian National Army (INA). The Hindu Mahasabha and RSS which always had prominent lawyers on their rolls made no attempt to defend the INA accused at Red Fort trials.

Delhi HC rules in favour of retired Air Force officer 'overcharged' for Covid treatment

By Rosamma Thomas*  In a decision of May 22, 2023, the Delhi High Court ruled in favour of petitioner Group Captain Suresh Khanna who was under treatment at CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, between April 28 and May 5, 2021, for a period of eight days, for Covid-19 pneumonia. The petitioner had to pay Rs 3,55,286 as treatment costs, but the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) only reimbursed him for Rs 1,83,748, on the basis of government-approved rates. 

'Enough evidence' in Indian tradition to support legal basis for same-sex marriage

By Iyce Malhotra, Joseph Mathai, Sandeep Chachra*  The ongoing hearing in the Supreme Court on same-sex marriage provides space for much-needed conversations on issues that have hitherto remained “invisible” or engaged with patriarchal locker room humour. We must recognize that people with diverse sexualities and complex gender identities have faced discrimination, stigma and decades of oppression. Their issues have mainly remained buried in dominant social discourse, and many view them with deep insecurities.

Religious divide 'kept alive' with low intensity communalism in Gujarat's cultural capital

By Rajiv Shah  A fact-finding report, prepared by the Mumbai-based non-profit, Centre for Study of Society and Secularism (CSSS), has cited the Vadodara Ram Navami violence of March 30 as yet another example of how, after the BJP consolidating its hold on political power in Gujarat post-2002 riots and at the Centre in 2014, the nature of communal riots has changed, underlining, as opposed to high-intensity violence earlier, now riots have become “more sub-radar and at a smaller scale, more localized”.

Buddhist shrines were 'massively destroyed' by Brahmanical rulers: Historian DN Jha

Nalanda mahavihara By Our Representative Prominent historian DN Jha, an expert in India's ancient and medieval past, in his new book , "Against the Grain: Notes on Identity, Intolerance and History", in a sharp critique of "Hindutva ideologues", who look at the ancient period of Indian history as "a golden age marked by social harmony, devoid of any religious violence", has said, "Demolition and desecration of rival religious establishments, and the appropriation of their idols, was not uncommon in India before the advent of Islam".

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

76% Odisha govt school infrastructure in dilapidated state, 'undermine' RTE norms

By Our Representative  As many as 75.86% (5,421) elementary schools in Odisha do not possess a playground, depriving students of physical activity opportunities. Also, 75.68% (5,408) of schools require minor or major repairing, undermining the norms and standards stipulated in the Right to Education (RTE) Act.

Caste, impact on Ayodhya area 'halting' BJP rulers to act against Brij Bhushan Singh

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  Finally, the #WrestlersProtest has got international attention. The United World Wrestling (UWW),  condemning the treatment and detention of wrestlers and expressing its disappointment over the lack of results of the investigations against Brij Bhushan Singh, accused of sexually harassing women wrestlers, has urged the "relevant authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation."

Urgency for next pandemic? But Mr Health Secretary, you're barking up wrong tree

By Dr Amitav Banerjee, MD*  The Union Health Secretary, Mr Rajesh Bhushan addressing the Health Working Group of G20 India, at Hyderabad on 05 June 2023, cautioned that the next pandemic would not wait for us to make global treaties and called on countries to work together.

Generative AI as 'potent weapon and shield' in battle of political misinformation

By Haziq Jeelani*  In the pulsating heart of the digital era, the political arena is ceaselessly molded by the swift and relentless flow of information. The line between fact and fiction often blurs, creating a nebulous landscape where truth and deceit intertwine.