RMC changes course of natural drain that caused accident 9 months ago | Ahmedabad News

“Currently, the drain is flowing under two commercial complexes – S Shivam-I and Shivam-II,” said RMC Standing Committee Chairman Jaymin Thakar.

In 1992, RMC allowed the construction of the natural drain, but since a recent assessment found it to be a threat to public safety, Thakar said, “it was decided to change the course of the drain and divert it away from the residential complexes on the posh Yagnik Road by constructing a 110-metre-long box culvert”.

Thakar said the committee had approved the proposal for the Rs 491-crore reinforced concrete (RCC) canal, which would be nine metres wide and three metres deep and covered with a slab.

“The canal diverting the drain starts from the western edge of Sarveshwar Chowk, crosses Yagni Road and meets the drain near the Doll Museum west of Yagnik Road,” Thakar said.

Thakar explained that “the diversion channel will be wide and deep enough to withstand the volume of water” and said there was no risk of flooding in terms of discharge.

The committee rejected a proposal for a private consultant at a cost of Rs 48.90 lakh for the development of a multi-storey parking lot at Sarveshwar Chowk.

Stating that RMC engineers were competent enough, the Chairman said, “Why waste around Rs 50 lakh of taxpayers’ money by engaging private companies?”