The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has begun preparations to build ramps for machinery to enter the Vishwamitri River, signalling that work on the desilting and resectioning of the river is expected to start soon.

Following the severe floods last year, a committee was formed to create a flood mitigation plan for the Vishwamitri River. The committee provided several recommendations, with the most common suggestion being to deepen, widen, or resection the river.

VMC issued a tender for resectioning even before the committee finalized its report, as this step had unanimous support. The vendor for the project will be selected shortly, with the forest department set to manage crocodile handling during the work.

According to sources, the current phase of work will focus on preparing slopes or ramps along the riverbanks. Machinery will only enter the river under the supervision of experts. Locations for dumping the silt and debris removed from the river are also being identified.

If all goes according to plan, work is anticipated to begin in the second half of this month. The state government has already affirmed its commitment to the flood mitigation efforts in the river.