Sir Sayajirao Gaekwad was the Maharaja of Baroda State from 1875-1939. A visionary of his time, he had reformed the state during his rule. His contributions to Vadodara has been immense. From providing with the access of education for everyone and the construction of Maharaja Sayajirao University to excellent town planning, he played a key role in the development of Baroda and its social reforms. The social reforms include a ban on child marriage, ban on untouchability, development of Sanskrit, ideological studies and religious education and encouragement of fine arts.
Sir Sayajirao Gaekwad’s planning of Vadodara was strategic with a vision, natural resources and basic principles were taken into consideration to design the water flow system to avoid floods.
During the monsoons, from the north-east, Pavagarh and Ajwa’s water flow was planned in a way that it would fill up the 7 lakes of the city through the canals or natural channels made my the course of running water. Due to the laws of gravity, the water then flowed into Vishwamitri and Dhadhar rivers respectively.
The water from Pavagarh and Ajwa flowed into Sindhu Sagar Talav (earlier named as Dhobi Talav). Once the lake filled up, the water flowed into Sarasiya Talav through small canals and then it into Raja Rani Talav which later on flowed into the Mahadev Talav near Ayurvedic College. Jamva Nadi used to fill up after Mahadev Talav.
Another plan included after the Sursagar filled up, water flowed through Maruti Ghat and Lakdi Pool into Vishwamitri river. Initially, Sursagar had 4 wells and there were no pumps or pressure machines earlier for the flow of water. Without the help of electricity, water post-monsoon would flow easily. Valves and floodgates were built wherever it seemed necessary.
For 15 years, VMC has been claiming to make Vadodara like Shanghai city. Unlike the VMC officials, Sir Sayajirao was knowledgeable and understood the principles of gravity. On top of Sarasiya Talav’s gate, APS has been made by the VMC, because of which the flow of water has stopped. Near Ayurvedic College a canal’s flow of water has stopped completely and is filled with drainage water. Even a year before water at a foot’s height used to flow through this same canal. A 60 feet wide stream of water used to flow from the east which drastically gets reduced to a 15 feet wide stream.
If the water level in lakes is maintained, there’ll be lesser issues regarding blocking or flooding of water.
A lot of real-estate construction has been taking place which has reduced the flow of water in those places.
Near Ajab Talav and Sarasiya Talav, slum dwellings have cropped up which has resulted in a blockage of water connection and the water in the lake also doesn’t rise.
In Warashiya area, the flow of the water’s direction has reversed and goes back into the city. At Raja Rani Talav- the slum dwellings have spread out and VMC hasn’t taken any actions against it.
Municipal Councillor, Vijay Pawar wrote a letter to the CM of Gujarat, Mr. Vijay Rupani addressing these issues and VMC’s disregard for Sir Sayajirao’s vision.
Sir Sayajirao had built the valves and the floodgates for a reason and now either they are broken or filled up. Hence, rainwater doesn’t drain out as its supposed to. Instead of flowing in north-south direction, the flow has reversed and now the water flows in south-north direction, which is against the gravity.
Under the TP scheme (Town Planning), all the canals have been covered under allotted plots which are being sold to real-estate and commercial builders.
The lakes are either dry or filled with drainage water.
VMC under the pretext of development in Vadodara and beautification of lakes, concreate walls are made between natural lake water and soil. The concrete wall cuts down the natural connection of resources.
