River Front Developments of major Indian cities - Do we need to work out standards

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In india many cities (Surat, Rajkot, Pune, etc.) have undertaken the River Front Development activities. It is observed that many of the rivers carry heavy floods in monsoon while the river is almost dry OR carry only city sewage. Thus the problem as far as the river and city are concerned are FLOOD and WATER QUALITY. Hence, a serious effort on developing norms and standards is felt essential

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3 Answers

  1. Europe and North America have well-documented regulations and a large body of literature that investigates riverfront development issues. Quite likely India also has laws and guidelines regarding development in floodplain zones and riparian areas. Coastal zone regulations exist, whereby development is not permitted x meters ( usually 50) from the high tide mark. Likely it is an issue of 1. authorities NOT being aware about these regulations and 2. lack of enforcement.  Typically an NGO files a case, thats how environmental protection happens in India, if at all. Most Research institutes sadly seem to have no connection to real life environmental management either. India Water Portal and CSE are very good groups engaged in awareness generation and environmental action. 

    1 Comment

    1. Indeed at CWPRS the research cadre are aware of standards (BIS) and do refer them as and when need arise. In RFD case, the projects are planned, implemented and operated by administration (say municipal corporations) thus a guideline document as ready reconer would put things straight for them when they have to take decisions based on consultants recommendations keeping in view MoEF requirements. Thus the guifelines.

  2. Sir Seshadri

    Indeed many studies in India has been carried out at Govt and private consultants. Yet there doesn't exist any specified guidelines for such activities. Not to let any loop holes in Rifer Front Developments (RFD) as the lives and property may be put to stake. We need  to put the earlier studies on table and review them for future refinements

  3. Dear C R Sir.

    Both the concepts given by yourself are to be studied in depth.

    The practices are to be applied keeping in mind, principles of Operation and maintainance on all fronts.

    Well wishes.

    Prof Ajit Seshadri .

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    Note on 13th Feb 2019.

    Dear Readers.

    It is a pity that PAPP People Awareness and People Participation is lacking ie.

    And that Flowing Rivers and stagnant lakes and ponds are used as waste sinks for both Solids and liquids, be it be from domestic and or industrial sources. 

    Communities have not spared the pristine pure Indian coasts too. 

    As a practice both ULBs and Village Boards need to work on this to reduce the adverse impacts on bio resources with association of VOs. Voluntary orgn.

    At all streams joining the w/bodies, treatment process on natural mode ie applying deep ponds, boulder filters , phyto r , - 3 methods need to be applied.

    Autolysis is a process which happens in nature, naturally and given a hydraulic residence time of 7days + can do wonders. And clean up most dirty streams or ponds.

    Certain maintainance practices viz. dredging - desilting need to be done and all sludges removed need to be sun dried and used as soil improvers and manure .

    Therefore at all w/b s near road lanes plan Naturalised STPs using JCBs or manual means. 

    No mechanised STPs can sustain, And both water and sludges to be re used in communities.

    RWH is to be progressed without wasting the resources .

    Issued in the interest of doing good in communities with well wishes.

    Prof Ajit Seshadri.

    Vels University. Chennai