Skip to main content

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

By A 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

How community leaders overcome obstacles to protect forests and pastures in remote villages

By Bharat Dogra  Dheera Ram Kapaya grew up in such poverty that, unable to attend school himself, he would carry another boy’s heavy school bag for five kilometers just to get a scoop of daliya (porridge). When he was finally able to attend school, he had to leave after class five to join other adolescent workers. However, as soon as opportunities arose, he involved himself in community efforts—promoting forest protection, adult literacy, and other constructive initiatives. His hidden talent for writing emerged during this time, and he became known for the songs and street play scripts he created to promote forest conservation, discourage child marriages, and support other social reforms.

Workers' groups condemn Gujarat Ordinance increasing working hours, warn of statewide agitation

By A Representative   At a consultation organised today by the Asangathit Shramik Hit Rakshak Manch at Circuit House in Ahmedabad, leaders of major trade unions and labour rights organisations strongly opposed the Gujarat government’s recent ordinance amending the Factories Act and the draft rules notified under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code, 2020. Around 50 representatives from central trade unions, independent unions, and labour welfare organisations participated in the meeting.

Deaths in Chhattisgarh are not just numbers – they mark a deeper democratic crisis

By Sunil Kumar  For a while, I had withdrawn into a quieter life, seeking solace in nature. But the rising tide of state-sponsored violence and recurring conflict across India has compelled deeper reflection. The recent incidents of killings in central India—particularly in Chhattisgarh—are not isolated acts. They point to a larger and ongoing crisis that concerns the health of democracy and the treatment of marginalised communities.

'Bengali Muslim migrant workers face crackdown in Gurgaon': Academic raises alarm

By A Representative   Political analyst and retired Delhi University professor Shamsul Islam has raised serious concerns over the ongoing targeting and detention of Muslim migrant workers from West Bengal in Gurgaon, Haryana. In a public statement, Islam described the situation as "brutal repression" and accused law enforcement agencies of detaining migrants arbitrarily under the pretext of verifying their citizenship.

Gender violence defies stringent laws: The need for robust social capital

By Dr. Manoj Kumar Mishra*  The tragic death of Miss Soumyashree Bisi, a 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan College, Balasore, who reportedly self-immolated due to harassment, shocked the conscience of Odisha. Even before the public could process this horrifying event, another harrowing case emerged—a 15-year-old girl from Balanga, Puri, was allegedly set ablaze by miscreants. These incidents are not isolated; they highlight a disturbing pattern of rising gender-based violence across the state and the country.

The GMO illusion: Three decades of hype, harm, and false hope

By Sridhar Radhakrishnan  Three decades of hype, billions of dollars spent, and still no miracle crop. It's time to abandon the GMO biotech fairy tale and return to the soil, the seed, and the farmer. “Trust us,” they said. “GMOs will feed the world.” Picture a world where there is plenty of food, no hunger, fields grow without chemical pesticides, children are saved from malnutrition, and people live healthily.

The myth of population decline: India’s real challenge is density, not fertility

By N.S. Venkataraman*   India’s population in 2025 stands at approximately 1.4 billion. In 1950, it was 359 million, rising sharply to 1.05 billion by 2000. The population continues to grow and is projected to reach around 1.7 billion by 2050.

Indigenous Karen activist calls for global solidarity amid continued struggles in Burma

By A Representative   At the International Festival for People’s Rights and Struggles (IFPRS), Naw Paw Pree, an Indigenous Karen activist from the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), shared her experiences of oppression, resilience, and hope. Organized with the support of the International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), the event brought together Indigenous and marginalized communities from across the globe, offering a rare safe space for shared learning, solidarity, and expression.

A matter of deep concern: The silent struggles of India's visually impaired women

By N.S. Venkataraman  Visual impairment is one of the most severe forms of physical disability that afflicts humanity, and its impact is even more acute when it affects women. The burden becomes overwhelming when visually impaired women also belong to economically weaker sections of society, with little or no financial or institutional support. Their struggle for dignity, survival, and identity is often invisible—hidden in plain sight across cities and rural corners alike. And yet, these women form a large, neglected segment of society not just in India, but around the world. In India, governmental assistance to visually impaired persons exists but remains minimal. While policies are framed with good intent, they often fall short in implementation. More importantly, no real distinction is made between the unique challenges faced by visually impaired men and women. This gender-blind approach to disability support overlooks the compounded social vulnerabilities that women face due to...