Vadodara: The Vadodara Municipal Corporation has begun construction of gabion walls along erosion-prone stretches of the Vishwamitri river in the city, after damage was observed during recent floods. These walls will come up near bridges and sensitive spots on the riverbank across the city.Civic officials said the work became necessary after erosion was reported at several points along the river during the 2024 floods and again last year.Alarm bells went off when erosion was noticed near the Sayajibaug zoo, prompting the VMC to take up the work on basis using emergency provisions under the Gujarat Provincial Municipal Corporations Act, as erosion had begun eating into zoo land.The VMC plans to build gabion walls at 12 bridges and 12 other locations across the city. The project involves estimated expenditure of Rs 89 crore, of which Rs 36 crore has been allocated specifically for the gabion walls, an official said.Apart from the stretch near Sayajibaug zoo, work has been taken up near the Navlakhi artificial pond and at three bridges — Chetak Bridge, Mangal Pandey Bridge and Urmi Bridge. All three bridges are in the Sama area. Gabion walls are being planned around the bridges to protect their piles from damage caused by riverbank erosion.Experts had recommended the construction of these walls after the floods, particularly along stretches where erosion had worsened. In some areas, the loss of green cover on the riverbanks during floods, followed by dredging to resection the river, had further weakened the banks.Activists had also raised concerns about the erosion and suggested construction of gabion walls as a preventive measure, officials said.
