Service was to start in April, but plan went for a toss following a dispute between operator and AMC.
The joy of going on a boat ride in your dear Sabarmati is finally heading for a reality. For, after much dillydallying, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), says the service will cater to the entertainment needs of citizens from as early as next week.
The AMC has been trying to start the facility in the Sabarmati since April this year following frequent requests from citizens. The grand plans, however, went for a toss following a dispute between the project contractor, Amrapali, and the civic body over the amount of water in the river. It remains to be seen whether the project will actually come through or will it face fresh delays.
Meanwhile, the Sabarmati had been dried up for over two months to repair the Vasna barrage ahead of monsoon. But, finally, the AMC has asked Amrapali to start the operations.
Deputy municipal commissioner and executive director of Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (SRFDCL) Dilip Mahajan said that as per their talks with the contractor the service will begin within a week. The boat ride facility is part of SRFDCL’s package service aims at giving Amdavadis a chance to enjoy life.
Mahajan said Amrapali had been asked to launch the service within a fortnight of award of the contract and a week had already passed. “So it is expected that the service is made available to people within the next one week,’’ he said.
Initial talks suggest that there will be three spots on the east and west banks of the river from where people can take a boat to cruise into the river. However, the exact locations for boating are yet to be finalised.
Mahajan also said that they had asked the contractor to get the floating restaurant operational within a month. “We still have to check on the preparations for the floating restaurant but it is not likely to start before the end of the monsoon,” he added.
He also said that they had inspected the service of two potential bidders for cable car but the details are yet to be finalised.
SRFDCL is a special purpose vehicle floated by the AMC to develop the Sabarmati riverfront. A senior Amrapali official said they have already visited the boating sites on the Riverfront stretch. Steel platforms and boats are also being readied at Kankaria. By September 1st week we will start the facility with at least two boats.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}