Surat: A delegation representing residents of flood-affected areas along the Mithi creek met the state leadership in Gandhinagar on Monday, seeking urgent and permanent measures to address recurring flooding. Residents have suffered heavy losses after three instances of flooding in the past 22 days.The delegation met chief minister Bhupendra Patel and deputy chief minister Harsh Sanghavi. Representatives presented an account of the hardships faced by thousands of affected families.They emphasized the narrowing of the creek, obstructions to water flow and encroachments on various stretches. A memorandum outlining key demands and seeking immediate corrective measures was also submitted.According to the delegation, both leaders heard their concerns and assured them that the govt would make all efforts to resolve the creek flooding issue permanently through scientific, long-term measures. They also expressed confidence that action would be taken to remove encroachments and restore the creek to as close as possible to its original condition.The delegation later met health minister Praful Pansheriya and voiced their concerns about the effects of the flooding and infrastructure constraints. Pansheriya said govt action was already underway and the state govt stood with the affected residents and would continue efforts towards a permanent solution.The delegation also met urban development minister Kanu Desai and briefed him on encroachments along multiple stretches, the reduced width of the creek and the impact of service roads constructed along it, which further constricted the waterway.They stressed that diverting upstream water towards the Tapi river through scientific planning, removing encroachments and restoring the creek to its original profile could provide a lasting solution.Desai said the matter fell under his department and assured the delegation that necessary action would be taken, including planning for proper water conveyance and a scientific assessment of the issue.Councillors demand confining wall along creekMunicipal councillors from Ward 18 of Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) submitted a representation to municipal commissioner Nagarajan M on Monday, seeking measures to address flooding in Mithi creek.Led by councillor Dinesh Purohit, they demanded construction of a confining wall along the creek. In their letter, Purohit said a confining wall near Ashirwad Market causes water levels at the spot to rise to 9.30m and remain confined within the creek.The councillors also sought installation of floodgates and water-pumping stations, along with regular dredging of the creek. They demanded removal of encroachments and permanent demarcation of the creek’s boundaries.
