Raje opens much-awaited Dravyavati river project
Jaipur, Oct 2 : Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on Tuesday inaugurated the city's 'Dravyavati River Rejuvenation Project' executed by Tata Projects Ltd. spread over 47.5 km rain-fed riverfront.
The area had degenerated into an untreated sewage nallah, but has now been restored as a perennial river, fed by treated clean water.
For now, the 13-km stretch of Dravyavati riverfront out of total area of 47.5km has been opened for residents.
Raje said the dream visualized in the year 2014 to rejuvenate the dry river has finally been realized. "The residents can come and view nature here," she said.
The project aims to reduce pollution, treat 170 million litres of sewage a day, create green and social spaces, cycle and jogging tracks along its banks, reduce the threat of floods, create employment, and transform Jaipur into a clean city, the Chief Minister said.
Encroachments have been removed from the nallah which has helped restore the river to its glory and vitality.
Vaibhav Galaria, Jaipur Development Commissioner, said: "This is one of the largest and most complex projects undertaken by Jaipur Development Authority."
Vinayak Deshpande, Managing Director, Tata Projects Limited, said: "We are happy to be a part of this visionary project, which will become an example for river rejuvenation in India. This project had many challenges for us."
Officials said over 17,000 trees, shrubs, and ornamental plants have been planted along the banks. A pathway and a cycling track on both sides of the river has been provisioned. Planned landscapes have been developed along the river totalling an impressive 5.0 lakh square meters.
Five Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) have been installed along the course of the river with a combined capacity of 170 MLD, officials added.
The ambitious project aims to contain flood discharge, realign original route of the river, remove all encroachments, reclaim valuable land, and enhance value of properties at impact zones.
Jaipur Development Authority has contracted the project for Rs 1,676 crore to a consortium of Tata projects and Shanghai Urban Construction Group. The consortium will be responsible for the maintenance of this project for 10 years from its completion.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
