Govt revives plan to rejuvenate Arkavathi la Thames, Sabarmati

Global tender floated for appointment of consultant

The State government has revived its long-pending project to rejuvenate Arkavathi river on the lines of River Thames in Central London and Sabarmati River Valley in Gujarat. 

Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Limited (CNNL), the nodal agency for the project, has invited global expression of interest-cum- prequalification of consultants for the project that includes desilting the river bed and its two reservoirs (one at Hesaraghatta and another at Thippagondanahalli), beautification of the river valley, restoring ground water table and developing places of tourist attraction along the riverfront. 

The once pristine river, which was a source of drinking water for Bengaluru, is under serious threat. Rampant encroachments have changed the very course of the river that originates in Nandi Hills of Chikkaballapur district and flows through Bengaluru Rural and Ramanagara districts. 

The tenders for the rejuvenation project floated by the Water Resources department last year, elicited poor response as the parameters for the project had not been properly defined.

“This time we have gone global. Advertisements inviting consultants for preparing the detailed project report (DPR) have been placed in 15 international newspapers. International players from Switzerland, Canada, Singapore have already evinced interest in the project,” Prof Aravind Galagali, director, technical sub-committee, Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigam Limited and resource person for the project, said.

November 30 is the last date for consultants to submit their bids. The cost of the mega project would be known only after the DPR is prepared, he said. 

Galagali said the plan was to rejuvenate Arkavathi on the model of River Thames and Sabarmati river valley.

“Like Arkavathi, both Thames and Sabarmati flow through regions with thick human habitats. We are looking at how these two rivers were rejuvenated and will adopt it locally,” he said. However, while Thames flows through the heart of London and Sabarmati geographically divides Ahmedabad, Arkavathi flows around 30 km from the outskirts of Bengaluru. However, several catchment areas of the river are in Bengaluru. 

The Sabarmati Riverfront Development Project involved reclamation 10.5 km-stretch of the banks of Sabarmati river flowing through Ahmedabad. The project involved rejuvenating the river and establishing places of recreation and leisure along its banks.

“We too would like to make the Arkavathi river a sought-after tourist destination by developing gardens, recreational centres, resorts along the riverfront,” Galagali said. Arkavathi joins Cauvery 34 km south of Kanakapura at a place called Sangama, which is already quite popular. 

Challenges galore 

However, the challenges are many. Besides encroachments, effluents are let out into the river valley by industries. Galagali said the short-listed consultant will have to submit reports of different aspects including the points at which sewerage and effluents are let out into the river valley.

The present status of the river, its original course, reason for depletion of groundwater level in the valley are the other aspects the consultant has to consider while preparing the DPR. 

The consultant will also have to study of the entire catchment area of the river, identify encroachments including extent, study the present flow pattern and major hurdles in terms of in-flow into the river basin, siltation of reservoir and the river course and condition of all the water-bearing and cross drainage structures across the river. 

The consultant will also have identify places along the course of the river which could become sanctuary for migratory birds.