Surat – The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) today undertook an extensive creek cleaning campaign across Athwa, Limbayat, and Udhna zones with the deployment of heavy machinery and coordinated manpower to remove structural and natural obstructions from key creeks, ensuring better monsoon drainage and flood control.

Operations in Limbayat Zone

In the Draft Town Planning Scheme No.-35 (Kumbhariya–Saroli–Sania Hemad–Devadh), a deteriorated RCC bridge measuring 35 meters in length and 7 meters in width, supported by a central masonry pier, was identified as a major obstruction to the flow of Mithi Creek. Located between Final Plot No. 219/2 and 225/1, the structure was demolished starting at 9:30 AM today.

The operation was executed using machinery such as a Poklen Long Boom Breaker, JCB Breaker, highway vehicles, tractors, a DG set, gas cutter, and hand breakers. The site was supervised by a team of 36 personnel, including a Deputy Engineer, three Assistant Engineers, two Supervisors, four Technical Assistants, and support from the Fire and Watch & Water departments. The demolition was accompanied by dredging to remove the resulting debris and restore flow.

Bhedwad Creek Clearance

A fabricated bridge obstructing Bhedwad Creek near Godadara village and Krishna Park Society — spanning between Draft TP Scheme No.-61 (Parvat-Godadara) and TP Scheme No.-69 (Godadara-Dindoli) — was also removed. The structure, 10 meters long and 1 meter wide, was dismantled under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of the South East Zone and the Executive Engineer.

South West (Seventh) Zone: Widening and Realignment of Kankara Creek

Simultaneously, creek widening and realignment operations began in the South West (Seventh) Zone from 9:00 AM. Key activities included:

1. Bhimrad-Bamroli (TP-43, FP-18): Downstream of the bridge connecting Bamroli and Althan, a narrowing of Kankara Creek by 50–60 meters was identified. Widening efforts are ongoing using one Poklen machine and two high-speed vehicles with tractors.
2. TP-43, Bhimrad, FP No. 81: Near a recently built SMC residential complex, old stones and debris obstructing creek alignment are being cleared using one Poklen machine and one JCB.
3. Bhimrad to Sachin Magdalla Bridge stretch: Realignment works of the creek’s meandering path are underway using a combination of Poklen, JCB, and Hiwa machinery.

All these works are being conducted under the direction of the Municipal Commissioner, in the presence of the Zonal Chief, Executive Engineer, Deputy Engineer, Assistant and Junior Engineers, Supervisors, Technical Assistants, and security staff.

Udhna Zone (South Zone-A): Removal of Old Culverts

In South Zone-A (Udhna), action has begun to dismantle an old pipe culvert near Bhamroli village Vidhneshwar Mahadev Temple obstructing Bhedwad Creek. Additionally, creek widening is being undertaken along the 45-meter-wide road connecting Bhimrad to Bamroli, near the Bhamroli Pumping Station.

The work is being executed by contractors using Long Boom Poklen, Poklen Breaker, JCBs, dumpers, and other heavy equipment under the guidance of the Deputy Municipal Commissioner and Executive Engineer. The project team includes 11 engineers, assistant engineers, junior engineers, supervisors, and technical assistants.

These operations are part of the SMC’s proactive measures to ensure smooth water flow in urban creeks and prevent urban flooding during the ongoing monsoon season.