Surat: An Ahmedabad-based company Wapcos Ltd, earlier known as Water and Power consultancy Services Ltd, will be making a presentation before the standing committee on the proposed construction of the second weir-cum -causeway over Tapi river near Rundh. There are three options given by the administration to the company but preferred the first option that costs Rs 531 crore.
The formation of this second weir will form a reservoir in the river with Singanpore weir of storing 15 MCM capacity. This stored water source will also help in developing waterways for transport and also serve as a reserve supply for the water source to the city.
A member of the ruling party on condition of anonymity said, “Final decision will be taken by members once the presentation on all three options that cost between Rs 500 and Rs 600 crore is made.”
This weir in the downstream of Tapi river will be much bigger than the Singanpore weir. The new weir will have 60 gates against the existing one’s 22. Constructing it will be cost about Rs 350 crore to Rs 385 crore while land acquisition will cost another Rs 200 crore. In 1977, the Singanpore weir had cost just Rs 32 crore.
Many of the present ruling party members feel unless SMC gets at least 75% of the grant from the central and state governments, it will be impossible to invest so much money at the current time. Rulers don’t want to take soft loans from the market or any other type of loans.
