Aji riverfront development project has received environmental clearance (EC) from the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) to commence the first phase of the riverfront project. In a meeting on January 20, the decision regarding EC was taken, and on February 17, it was granted. The Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) first proposed this project in 2013. The initial attempt of RMC to get the clearance was unsuccessful as it did not own the river stretch proposed. The civic body applied for EC again after the state government transferred the ownership of the 11-km-long stretch to the RMC in 2018. Along with this, the State-level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) framed terms of reference for environmental impact assessment (EIA). After RMC submitted the environmental impact assessment (EIA), the State-level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) received it, and on December 12, 2021, it recommended SEIAA for granting EC for the Rs 1,181 crore project. Pradip Dav, Rajkot Mayor, revealed that the first phase includes constructing a 1.25 km long stretch starting from Champakbhai Vora Bridge near Ramnath temple to downstream Kesr-e-Hind Bridge. Dav told the media that the first phase would cost nearly Rs 165 crore, and they expect the state government to provide the required funds. He said that as a part of the project, along with the redevelopment of Ramnath Mahadev temple, gardens, parking lots and retaining walls will also be developed. The mayor informed that Rs 10 crore is set aside for Ramnath temple development in the RMC budget 2022-23. However, funds from the state government are essential to materialise the riverfront project. The plan is to construct the riverfront from the Aji river bridge on NH-27 downstream Aji Dam in the south-eastern part of the city to the Aji river bridge of 150 Feet Ring Road (also called Morbi Bypass Road) in the northeastern part. However, over 4,000 unauthorised dwelling units along the bank of this stretch of the river could become a barrier. Moreover, the laying work of sewer interceptor lines along the eastern and western banks of the river is yet to be finished. Paresh Adhia, RMC’s city Engineer, said that EC would provide great momentum for the project. HCP Design, Planning and Management Pvt Limited, an Ahmedabad-based firm that has been hired as a project management consultant, would now prepare the final master plan of the project. Image Source Also read: Maharashtra irrigation body concerned over Pune riverfront project