Chief Minister Anandiben Patel participated at the ground-breaking ceremony of a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) coming up in Vadaj area of the city. Currently, sewage water is dumped directly into Sabarmati Riverfront.

“The STP will become functional within 13-14 months. The project is aimed at reducing pollution of the Sabarmati river. In addition, our dependence on Narmada river water will also reduce, as we will get treated water from this plant,” Patel added.

Deputy municipal commissioner C R Kharsan guided the health department officials in cleaning operations in 36 water bodies in six civic zones. This was part of week-long campaign of environment preservation drive chalked out by the State Urban Development Department.

In the central zone in Asarwa ward, the AMC took up Asarwa lake for cleaning and removal of silt and cleaning its surrounding area. In the east zone, Odhav lake in Odhav ward and Ratanpura talav and Dashama talav in Vastral ward were cleaned.

Local councillors witnessed the cleaning work like sprinkling of pesticides in the periphery of water bodies, Elsewhere in the city, other water bodies, including Ramol talav, Vinzol talav, Malav Talav, lake in Motera ward, Shubham Park lake in Chandkheda, Vastrapur lake, Mahalaxmi talav in Vatva, Chandola talav and Kharicut talav in Indrapuri were also cleaned up. Deputy municipal commissioner R C Kharsan said a major plantation of gulmohar trees was done at the Sabarmati river front in the evening followed by a cultural programme.