Unique `Dravyavati River Rejuvenation Project’ in Jaipur

Unique `Dravyavati River Rejuvenation Project’ in Jaipur inaugurated by Vasundhara Raje

Chief Minister, Smt.Vasundhara Raje, inaugurated Jaipur city’s truly visionary `Dravyavati River Rejuvenation Project’ on Tuesday. The project, which has been executed by TATA Projects Limited is a 47.5 km, (rain fed) riverfront, that had degenerated into an untreated sewage nallah, which was restored as a perennial river – fed by treated clean water.  

This path-breaking project aims to reduce pollution, treat 170 million litres of sewerage a day, create Green Spaces, Social Spaces, Cycle tracks, Jogging tracks along its banks, reduce the threat of floods, create employment, and transform Jaipur into a clean Smart City. Moreover, encroachments were removed from the Nallah which helped restore the river to its past glory and vitality.  

On the occasion of inauguration, Mr. Vaibhav Galaria, Jaipur Development Commissioner said “This is one of the largest and most complex project undertaken by Jaipur Development Authority. It had many complexities, including those of right of way, financing, and legal hurdles, which we could surmount with the help and vision of Hon Chief Minister”

Mr. Vinayak Deshpande – Managing Director, TATA Projects Limited said, “We are happy to be a part of this visionary project, which will become an example for river rejuvenation in India. This project, which was executed in a short span of time, had many challenges and learnings for us. Also, the government and Jaipur Development Authority get all the credit for conceptualizing this project”.

Some of the salient features of River Rejuvenation project are as follows:

1. In order to beautify as well as serve as an example of environmental conservation, more than 17,000 trees, shrubs, and ornamental plants have been planted along the banks of the river.
2. A pathway and a cycling track of nearly 38 kilometres on both sides of the river has been provisioned to serve as a means of healthier living through exercise and clean air.
3. Three gardens have been developed at the Bird Park in Sikar Road, Landscape Park at Shipra Path, and at the Botanical Garden in Bambala encompassing around 1 lakh metres of lush green havens.
4. Planned landscapes have been developed along the river totalling an impressive 5.0 lakh square meters.
5. The inaugurated area has free-to-use public wi-fi connections.
6. Apart from that Landscape Park will have i-kiosks that will provide information about the project, smart dustbins, and variable message signages.
7. Dravyavati River Project is also equipped with Public Announcement Systems that can be used in emergency situations in urban periphery of the city.
8. To enjoy cycle rides, there is Green Ride App as well as a Citizens Shell with smart cycling tracks for public usage.
9. Public toilets at 45 locations around the course of the river shall also be provided.

For added security, CCTV cameras of high resolution have been installed with power backup systems and cabling at key locations. LED streetlights have been installed all along the pavement as well as public areas.

Five Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) have been installed along the course of the river with a combined capacity of 170 MLD. These STPs have been established at the following areas:

• Bassi Sitarampura: 20 MLD
• Devri: 15 MLD
• Sanganer: 100 MLD
• Bambala: 25 MLD
• Goner: 10 MLD

This ambitious project aims to contain flood discharge, realign original route of the river, remove all encroachments, reclaim valuable land, and enhance value of properties at impact zones. This will result in wealth creation.

The rejuvenation project will also enhance economic activities in and around the city. Needless to say, with all the plantation and gardens along the river, the air that Jaipurites breathe will improve. This project will improve the overall environment of Pink City. Tapping of all untreated sewage making their way to the river will ensure that air around the project will be odourless.

Experience Centre at Landscape Park, Shipra Path, has an exhibition cum awareness centre to educate the citizens of city towards advantages of this project. This centre will draw attention to the state of  Dravyavati River ‘Before construction’ and ‘After construction’.

Bambala Botanical Park is designed on the theme of five senses of sight, smell, taste, hearing and touch while imparting knowledge about plants and their uses.  There is a total of sixteen spaces earmarked for different types of gardens showcasing over 40,000 plants of 1000 different species. Theme parks such as Bonsai display, Night Garden, Green House, Navgrah Garden, Area for medicinal plants, Nakshatra Garden along with river view food plaza.

Another advantage of this project is the recharging of ground water in the vicinity of the project. The quality of water leading to the river will improve as sewage will be treated. Unhealthy cultivation of vegetables which were previously irrigated by sewage water will also come to a halt.

Some of the most interesting facts about Dravyavati River Project are as follows:

1. 5,00,000 m3 of concrete used in lining the river which utilized 50,000 transit mixers to transport.
2. 17,00,00,000 liters of sewage treated daily which equivalent to sewage generated by approx.. 2 million people.
3. 60,00,00,000 kgs of stones used beyond Ramchandrapura dam to help water recharge equivalent to 85 times the stones used in constructing the Qutub Minar.
4. 90 kilometers of sewer lines laid out under the project equivalent to the distance from Jaipur to Bhangarh
5. More than 30,000 persons provided employment in the construction of the entire river project.
6. 6,00,000 m2 of green spaces development equivalent to 11 times space of Nehru Bal Udyan
7. Rejuvenated river to contain a minimum of 29,00,00,000 liters of water at any given time which is equivalent to 10 times the main capacity of Mansagar lake