GSHRC orders expert inspection of Vishwamitri river project

Vadodara: The Gujarat State Human Rights Commission (GSHRC) has directed the city district administration and the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) to coordinate with a five-member expert panel to ensure systematic progress on the Vishwamitri river project. The commission has also asked for regular progress reports to be submitted.
The directive follows the commission taking suo motu cognizance of a report highlighting delays in the river development work. Notices were issued to officials from the state govt, Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), VMC, Vadodara Urban Development Authority (VUDA), and noted environmentalist Rohit Prajapati.
After hearing the concerned parties, the commission ordered the inclusion of five experts in the monitoring process: Rohit Prajapati, environmental and urban planner Neha Sarwate, zoologist Dr Ranjitsinh Devkar, botanist Dr Jitendra Gavali and architect and urban planner Mitesh Panchal.
The expert group will oversee work along the 24.7-km stretch of the river within city limits, as well as a 24-km stretch downstream. The GSHRC has mandated that the municipal commissioner convene meetings with the panel every 15 days, while the district collector is to hold weekly reviews.
VMC had already engaged with environmentalists and planners, who were visiting work sites and providing feedback. The civic body had also held consultations with them regarding desilting and river revival efforts. Relevant project details and reports were shared with the group, and to protect the river's biodiversity, VMC has involved volunteers in ongoing efforts.