Soon, Surtis can enjoy on riverside walkways
According to sources, the walkway from Hotel Gateway to Sardar Bridge is about 2,375 metre long and the one connecting Navdi Ovara to Swami Vivekanand Bridge is about 1,100 metre long. However, both walkways will be merged at Sardar Bridge making it a 3.5-km long walkway for the denizens.
As the walkway on Tapi river has been developed for the first time, the civic body has placed a giant anchor on the elevated concrete structure to remind visitors about the glorious past of the erstwhile port city. The original anchor, believed to be of the 17th century, was recovered during the dredging exercise in Tapi many years ago.
Navadi Ovara and the adjoining Dakka Ovara were the trading ports from where traders in the erstwhile port city of Surat were doing business with other countries like England, Portugal, China, etc.
There will be about six approach ends on the walkway to facilitate the residents to effectively use it during the weekends. As the spot where the walkway is being developed is under the flood zone of Tapi, the civic body has taken precautions to see that the construction work is done as per flood zone rules.