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Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
SMC targets encroachments, widens creeks to prevent flooding
1 2 3 Surat : In response to repeated flooding around city creeks (Khadi), the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) launched extensive cleaning and demolition operations across Athwa, Limbayat, and Udhna (A) zones on Sunday. The drive focused on clearing obstructed canals and demolishing illegal or dilapidated structures to restore natural water flow. SMC deployed large teams of engineers, technical staff, fire brigade, and Watch & Ward personnel to conduct the drive. The operation focused on key water bodies including Kankara Khadi, Mithi Khadi and Bhedwad Khadi. In the Southeast Zone (Limbayat), a 35-metre-long and 7-metre-wide RCC bridge illegally constructed over Mithi Khadi—between Plot Nos. 219/2 and 225/1 of Draft TP Scheme No. 35 (Kumbhariya–Saroli–Saniya Hemad–Devadh)—was demolished. The task was led by a deputy engineer and executed by a 36-member team using long boom breakers, JCB machines, trucks, tractors, gas cutters, DG sets and other demolition equipment. In addition, a fabricated bridge obstructing the flow of Bhedwad Khadi near Godadara village and Krishna Park Society — located within Draft TP Scheme Nos. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo by Taboola by Taboola 61 and 69 — was dismantled. This operation was carried out under the direct supervision of the deputy municipal commissioner and executive engineer of the Southeast Zone. In the Southwest Zone (Athwa), canal widening and clearing works were conducted near Bhamroli and Althan. Heavy excavators and trucks were deployed to remove obstructions and widen the canal adjacent to the newly built SMC housing complex in Bhimarad. Additional work was also undertaken along the canal stretch leading to the Sachin–Magdalla bridge to ensure smoother water passage. Simultaneously, the Udhna (A) zone carried out significant work along the Bhimarad–Bamroli Pumping Station road. An old pipe culvert situated in front of the Vidhneshwar Mahadev temple in Bamroli was removed to facilitate widening of the Bhedwad Khadi in that area. The operation, led by 11 engineers, involved multiple JCBs, long boom breakers, trucks, tractors, and Watch & Ward staff to safely manage the demolition and excavation. Surat municipal commissioner Shalini Agrawal, who also heads the Creek Flood Prevention Committee, told TOI: "We will continue to implement both short- and long-term measures to prevent flooding in creek areas. These efforts will be carried out in coordination with various departments, including the irrigation department and district administration. We also plan to consult experts and prepare a detailed project report to develop a permanent solution to this recurring issue. "
Indian Express
24-06-2025
- Climate
- Indian Express
249 evacuated in Surat as rain continues to lash state, orange alert in many districts till June 30
As rain continued to lash Gujarat on Tuesday, Narmada, Dahod, Panchmahal, Valsad and Tapi were the worst-affected districts. A total of 249 people, including 85 students, were on Tuesday evacuated in Surat. Till 6 pm, 120 talukas across the state received rainfall. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also issued an 'orange alert' for several districts till June 30. Nandod and Tilakwada in Narmada district received 220 mm (8.66 inch) and 181 mm (7.13 inch) rainfall, respectively, from 6 am till 4 pm. Among talukas, which received heavy rainfall, were Dahod at 180 mm, Shehera in Panchmahal (159 mm), Vapi in Valsad (154 mm), Jetpur Pavi in Chhota Udepur (152 mm), Dharampur (144 mm) and Pardi (130 mm) in Valsad, Songadh in Tapi (128 mm), Garudeshwar in Narmada (125 mm), Vyara in Tapi (124 mm), Bardoli in Surat (124 mm), Godhra (117 mm) and Morva Hadaf (117 mm) in Panchmahal, Khergam in Navsari (116 mm), Sankheda in Chhota Udepur (112 mm), Halol in Panchmahal (107 mm), Lunawada in Mahisagar (103 mm), Dediapada in Narmada (103 mm), and Netrang in Bharuch (101 mm). Surat city and its talukas also witnessed heavy rainfall over the last 24 hours, leading to a rise in the water levels of creeks and rivers. As several areas were inundated with rainwater, schools in Surat remained shut on Tuesday. Water also entered shops and basements of textile markets, causing significant loss to traders. As per data from the Surat flood control department, from 8am on Monday till 4pm on Tuesday, Surat city received 170 mm of rainfall, Olpad 47 mm, Umarpada 92 mm, Mandvi 93 mm, Kamrej 139 mm, Choryasi 38 mm, Palsana 93 mm, Bardoli 168 mm and Mahuva 111 mm. A total of 62 roads in the different talukas of Surat were closed and villagers were advised to take alternate routes. Policemen were deployed on these roads to keep people away. On Tuesday morning, Surat District Education Officer Dr Bhagirathsinh Parmar instructed government and self-financed primary, secondary, and higher secondary schools to keep their schools closed on Tuesday. Meanwhile, water entered Adarsh Residential School campus in Sarthana on Tuesday afternoon, prompting fire department officials of the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) to rescue 85 students and 15 teachers. They were evacuated and shifted to an SMC-run school in Sarthana. Surat Municipal Commissioner Shalini Agrawal visited the school on Tuesday afternoon to review arrangements made for the students. Besides, 149 residents of Gangapur and Dhamdod villages in Palsana taluka were rescued after water entered their homes, and were shifted to a nearby government primary school. A student from Surat's Katodara village, who had to take his examination at a centre in Katargam was dropped at the centre by a PCR van after he called for help. Apart from this, as rainwater entered Halpativas in Bardoli's Baben village, food and water were distributed to around 500 people by the district panchayat officials. After an electric pole at the Antroli crossroad junction in Surat collapsed, the power distribution and traffic were affected. Services were later restored. SMC teams reached inundated areas, accompanied by mobile medical vans, conducted health screenings and distributed medicines to people. Teams also reached Mithi Creek and Dumbhal Fire Station areas and cleared waterlogged areas. Cleaning staffers were also deployed in other zones. Federation of Surat Trade and Textile Association chief Kailash Hakim said, 'The rainwater accumulated in the basements and ground floors of around ten markets, including Raghukul, J D textile market, Silk Plaza, Millennium textile market 1, Someshwara, Anmol. We have appealed to the management of the markets to allow traders to shift their goods to empty floors or shops. There were power cuts at ten textile markets. The market authorities have started clearing the water.' Orange alert has been issued for Banaskantha and Sabarkantha on June 26; Sabarkantha and Aravalli on June 27; Banaskantha and Sabarkantha June 28, Banaskantha and Sabarkantha on June 29; and Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Navsari and Valsad for June 30 — with forecasts of heavy to very heavy rainfall. The weather department has predicted heavy rainfall for the rest of the state till June 30.
Indian Express
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Lack of primary facilities in Punagam: Gujarat Human Rights Commission directs SMC Commissioner to attend June 26 hearing
The Gujarat State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has directed Surat Municipal Commissioner Shalini Agrawal to remain present, in person or virtually, on June 26 as a petition filed by a social worker — claiming rights violation over non-provision of primary facilities to residents of Punagam area — is heard. On the directions, SMC Commissioner Agarwal said, 'We have come across the directive from the State Human Rights Commission. We are preparing the data of the work done by us.' Punagam was incorporated into the municipal corporation limits in 2006. As per the petition filed by a social worker from the area, Kuldeep Gohil, a town planning scheme for the area was laid out in 2019. The petitioner said that according to the scheme, the SMC was supposed to provide 'urinal blocks, government schools, community hall, Shishu Kunj (play area for children), Shanti Kunj (parks for the elderly), vegetable markets'. 'The citizens had complained to the local councillors, municipal commissioner, and chief minister over the lack of provisions,' the petitioner said. The petition further adds, 'As per sections 68 and 69 of the Town Planning Act, the ruling party and civic organisation have to provide basic facilities, but they failed to do so. The roads are not up to the plan at block no. 443 and 446. There are encroachments on different roads.' Punagam, which is represented by around eight corporators, had a majority of BJP councillors. But after the 2015 Patidar quota agitation, the Congress leaders earned a majority. In the last municipal election, the seats were won by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders. The area is dominated by the Patidar population, hailing from different districts in Saurashtra who settled in Surat and are into diamond trade, textiles, and embroidery industries. Lack of basic facilities has remained a constant pet peeve here. Taking up the issue, Gohil had filed a petition against SMC with the Gujarat State Human Rights Commission (GSHRC) on March 21 this year. Gohil told The Indian Express, 'I am resident of Punagam ward no. 17. Till date, no primary works like library, vegetable market, Shishu Kunj (children play garden), Shanti Kunj (elderly people garden), community hall and other basic facilities have been not developed by SMC, as per the plan. The roads are quite narrow and have not been widened. We have complained regularly to the SMC Varachha East zone. But nothing has been done. Apart from this, there are five reservation plots of SMC, which have been given to private people who run a food court, and SMC generates good revenue from it.' Payal Sakariya, AAP councillor from Ward no. 16, Punagam West, said, 'We have been regularly raising the issue about basic and other facilities to be provided by SMC in the area, to the citizens of Punagam area, but no action is taken. In the final TP of 20 in Punagam, the roads are narrow, and the population is over 1.50 lakh. There are over 150 residential societies (each society has over 200 houses with multiple floors). As per TP scheme rules, along with basic facilities like water, roads, drainage, etc., SMC has to provide other facilities which the civic organisation has failed to do.' Commenting on the issue, Vijay Panseriya, former Congress corporator Punagam East, said, 'The reason behind inadequate facilities is political enmity. After the area had been added to the SMC limit, BJP candidates were elected till 2015. During the Patidar movement, the voters switched over to Congress in the 2015 municipal election, and for the first time, Congress candidates won our ward. In 2021, AAP candidates won in this ward.' Surat Municipal Corporation Varachha A zone executive engineer Karan Bhavsar told The Indian Express, 'I am new to this zone. We have provided water, drainage roads, electricity and other facilities.'
