In response to the devastating floods that recently hit Vadodara, the Gujarat government unveiled a special compensation package for Vadodara Flood Victims on Thursday, September 12, 2024.
The package aims to provide financial relief to traders, street vendors, and shop owners whose businesses were severely affected. The announcement comes after widespread protests and anger from the local communities, who felt neglected during the immediate aftermath of the disaster.
Government’s Response to Public Outcry:
The floods led to significant criticism of the ruling BJP, as residents faced three days of inundation without governmental assistance. Protests erupted as angry citizens expressed their frustration over the delayed response from officials. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to his home state, the Gujarat government has addressed the grievances by offering financial support to flood victims.
Vadodara Flood Victims Relief Package Details:
As part of the relief package, the Gujarat government will provide:
- ₹5,000 for street vendors whose livelihoods were disrupted.
- ₹20,000 for small shopkeepers who suffered losses due to the floods.
- ₹40,000 for large shop owners to assist with recovery.
In addition, businesses with a monthly turnover of up to ₹5 lakh can apply for a loan of ₹20 lakh, with the state government agreeing to pay part of the interest for the next three years. Affected individuals have until October 31 to apply for financial assistance.
The Flooding of Vadodara:
Vadodara, a key city in Gujarat, experienced severe flooding following heavy rains last month. The torrential downpour caused the Vishwamitri River, which runs through the city, to overflow, inundating both commercial and residential areas. The flooding was exacerbated by the overflow of the Ajwa and Pratappura reservoirs, which had been holding back water for 134 and 94 years, respectively.
On August 26 and 27, the city received over 239 mm of rain in 24 hours, causing large swathes of Vadodara to be submerged for nearly 72 hours. Despite the government deploying NDRF and SDRF teams and even army battalions for rescue operations, residents were left without timely aid, leading to increased frustration.
Man-Made Disaster?
The disaster has sparked debates about whether the floods were entirely natural or worsened by human factors. Civil society members, opposition leaders, and even some BJP workers have pointed fingers at encroachments along the Vishwamitri River and rampant concretization of the city as key contributors to the disaster. Many are calling it a “man-made” calamity.
The State Congress president, Shaktisinh Gohil, and the Leader of the Opposition, Amit Chavda, have openly blamed the BJP-led local government and builders aligned with the ruling party for failing to manage urban development effectively. According to them, unchecked construction and encroachments have blocked the river’s natural flow, worsening the impact of the floods.
Previous Promises and Delayed Projects of Vadodara Flood Victims:
This is not the first time Vadodara has faced severe flooding. In 2019, a similar situation led the then BJP government, under Vijay Rupani, to announce a large-scale project to rejuvenate the Vishwamitri River. However, despite the National Green Tribunal (NGT) approving a detailed project report, the project was never implemented.
In 2010, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation, led by the BJP, proposed the Vishwamitri Riverfront Development Project. A special purpose vehicle was even established, but the project failed to move beyond the planning stage. The lack of action on these projects has led to further criticism, with many viewing the floods as the result of neglected urban planning and failure to execute long-term solutions.
Looking Forward: New Initiatives:
During his visit to the flood-affected areas, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced a ₹1,200 crore project to revive and rejuvenate the Vishwamitri River. This project aims to make the city flood-proof in the future, although many are skeptical, given past unfulfilled promises.
As Gujarat prepares for the Prime Minister’s visit, the government’s swift announcement of the compensation package is seen as an attempt to calm tensions and show that efforts are being made to address the concerns of those affected by the floods. Whether these actions will be enough to repair the political fallout remains to be seen.
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