In a recent setback for the Ayad River in the city, most of the work done by the Smart City project, which cost Rs 72 crore, has been severely damaged. The problem arose after the Rajasthan Urban Infrastructure Development Project (RUIDP) broke open sewer manholes, directly discharging sewage into the river.

Lake enthusiasts conducted an inspection of the Ayd River, stretching from Pula to Subhash Nagar. Dr. Anil Mehta, who took part in the inspection, remarked that the river cannot remain clean and beautiful as long as it continues to be contaminated by sewer runoff. He also pointed out that the flooring installed in the river will hinder groundwater recharge. According to Dr. Mehta, transforming the river into a concrete canal is not a restoration effort but rather a violation of the river's integrity.

Nand Kishore Sharma, the director of the Gandhi Human Welfare Committee, noted that leveling the riverbed and installing flooring has resulted in some areas being used as parking spaces. He also mentioned that the flooring is contaminated with animal dung and urine.

RUIDP Held Responsible for Damage

Following the first rainfall, the damage became evident. The stones placed in the riverbed were broken in several spots, and algae and sludge accumulated in many areas. The grass along the river has been destroyed. Smart City officials have issued a notice to RUIDP regarding these issues, but other departments have not responded.

RUIDP was responsible for closing all drains that fell into the riverbed and connecting them to sewer lines. However, they left many drains open. While some drains have been closed by Smart City contractors, several remain open, allowing polluted rainwater to flow into the river. 

Poor Quality Materials Used in the River's Project

RUIDP had installed sewer trunk lines on both sides of the Ayad River from Pula to Eklingpura at a cost of Rs 25 crore. The project was completed and handed over to the Municipal Corporation in December 2023. However, recent rains have revealed the poor quality of the work. In Subhash Nagar, RUIDP broke manhole grates, leading to sewage flowing directly into the river. 

Smart City Was Confident About Infrastructure

In June 2024, officials announced that work on the Ayad River project is nearing completion. This development comes despite concerns from last year, when heavy monsoon rains caused significant damage to the river's infrastructure. Despite these previous issues, officials from the Smart City project expressed confidence in the resilience and durability of the new infrastructure. However, this year, the river's infrastructure has once again suffered damage due to the recent rains.