Sabarmati Riverfront Update

The Sabarmati Riverfront Development project inched forward with the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (SRFDCL) calling for consultants for planning civic facilities in the entire 10.6-km stretch of the project.This would be the first call for consultants this year seeking opinions for laying civic facilities on either bank of the river. The construction of retaining walls on both the stretches of the river has almost been completed. Besides this strenghthening of the bridge piers (pilars) is being undertaken. Sources say that the building footprint for the banks is being worked upon and would be ready in the coming three to four months."We would have to provide civic infrastructure on the 162 hectares of land that is being reclaimed by SRFDCL. Twenty per cent of this stretch would be sold for commercial and residential purposes. Public utilities like parks, gardens, promenades, picnic spots and entertainment zones would come up on the stretch and we have to ready the infrastructure,” says a senior municipal official.“We decided to call in consultants during monsoon as by the time the season is over we can get started with the civic works. We have called for expression of interests from consultants for streetlighting, water supply and roads in particular. Most of the retaining wall works has been completed,” says AMC municipal commisioner IP Gautam.