Noida: The highly anticipated Rs 10,000-crore Hindon riverfront project, approved by the Noida Authority in 2013, is still far from becoming a reality. The project aimed to protect the floodplains in the district, replicating Gujarat’s successful Sabarmati development plan.
Originally, the plan included the acquisition of nearly 3,000 hectares of floodplains that were encroached upon by farmers and landowners. The idea was to develop forested areas, golf courses, polo grounds, and parks. In 2016, a seven-member team even visited Gujarat to study the Sabarmati riverfront model, but since then, the project has seen no progress.
The Hindon river suffers from severe pollution, caused by tons of sewage, industrial waste, and domestic effluents. The river flows as a black, frothy stream with alarmingly high pollution levels. A recent report from the state government disclosed that 55 drains release 944 million liters per day (MLD) of sewage into the Hindon. Shockingly, 231 MLD of this sewage is untreated.
In response to the negligence of municipal corporations and municipal bodies in controlling sewage discharge into the Hindon, the green tribunal has directed the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board to initiate criminal prosecution against the responsible officers. The orders to check the sewage discharge into the river had been issued by the tribunal over several years, but they were not followed.
A former official from the Noida Authority revealed that the riverfront project was initially approved by the then CEO in May 2013. However, after a change in government in 2017 and a subsequent CBI probe into alleged irregularities worth Rs 1,600 crore in the Gomti riverfront development project, the authorities lost interest in the Hindon riverfront project. The official further explained that subsequent approvals for the project did not materialize due to budget constraints.
The senior official involved in the project back in 2017 suggested some recommendations, which were not approved. These recommendations included defining the Hindon floodplain and constructing new embankments on both banks. Additionally, he proposed purchasing 2,971 hectares of the river’s floodplain to rehabilitate villagers and create a forested area along the river. Furthermore, a six-lane road over the bund was proposed to connect NH 24 with Noida, Greater Noida, and Yamuna Expressway.
According to another senior Noida official, the Authority had intended to replicate the successful Sabarmati riverfront model to rejuvenate the 27-kilometer stretch of the Hindon under its jurisdiction. The planners and firm involved in the Gujarat project were even brought in as consultants to conduct a survey and submit a detailed project report. However, due to the lack of required approvals from other departments, the project did not move forward. The envisaged riverfront development project aimed to address encroachment issues and ensure a cleaner Hindon. The corridor would have provided picnic spots and entertainment zones for the public once developed.
While the riverfront project seems enticing, environmentalists believe it may not be the ultimate solution to the Hindon’s problems. They criticize the government and local authorities for failing to prevent villages and industries from releasing their waste into the river. According to environmentalist Pranab J Patar, any developmental activity that disregards the ecological needs of a river can be disastrous. Therefore, it is crucial to consult experts who possess a deeper understanding of riverine ecosystems to avoid any inadvertent harm.
The Hindon riverfront project, intended to revive the river and protect its floodplains, remains stalled despite its approval a decade ago. With pollution levels continuing to rise and encroachments not being addressed, urgent action is needed to save the Hindon from its current dire state. Public and government intervention is required to prioritize the restoration and protection of this vital water resource, ensuring a healthier ecosystem for future generations.
