Female Councillor Asked to Flood Victims in Vadodara —Why Did You Buy Properties Here?; Residents Respond—The Municipality Granted Permission

On August 26, Vadodara experienced severe flooding after 12 inches of rainfall, leading to significant damage over the course of three days. The floodwaters infiltrated homes, forcing residents to endure days of hardship amidst the chaos. 

As a result, there has been widespread anger directed towards various officials, including Education Minister Kuber Dindor, Home State Minister Harsh Sanghvi, MLA Manisha Vakil, and local corporators.

Today, BJP’s woman councillor for Ward No. 12, Twinkle Trivedi, visited Bill village by boat. Flood victims took this opportunity to present their grievances. 

However, instead of addressing the issues calmly, the councillor remarked, “Did you take a house without seeing the conditions here?” In response, the victims confronted the councillor, stating that their homes had been approved under her authority and that they have been paying taxes since 2018.

Restriction on Access During Flood Relief Visit

In the Bill Madh area on the outskirts of the city, floodwaters had reached as high as the dykes. When Councillor Twinkle Trivedi arrived by boat, local residents rushed towards her. Initially, rescue team members on site prevented the people from getting close to the councillor. 

However, after informing them that they could make their representations, the residents were allowed to approach the boat. The locals expressed their frustration vocally during the visit.

Residents Raise Concerns During Flood Relief Visit

Flood-affected residents presented a series of questions, highlighting ongoing issues such as problems with roads and street lighting, and a lack of assistance during the flood. Councillor Twinkle Trivedi responded by stating that improvements had been made to the roads and lighting.

Residents countered, saying that when they tried to voice their concerns, no one listened, and phone calls went unanswered. They also mentioned having recorded evidence to support their claims. Additionally, they brought up issues related to the accumulated floodwater and other problems in the area.

Local Residents Question Tax Collection and Development Plans

Residents questioned why they are being charged taxes if their area is not included in the Town Planning (TP) scheme. In response, Councillor Twinkle Trivedi stated that she speaks in Gujarati and expressed that residents should not have bought properties without proper scrutiny.

Residents countered by pointing out that the permissions were granted by the municipal corporation under her authority. They argued that despite the area not being part of the TP scheme, taxes have been collected since 2018. They also questioned the delay in implementing the proposed Ring Road, which had been discussed since 2012.

Councillor Denies Allegations and Defends Actions

When questioned about the claims, BJP Councillor Twinkle Trivedi responded by stating that roads and street lights had been provided in the area. She explained that the area is low-lying, which led to the flooding, and that reaching the area by means other than a boat was not feasible. She mentioned that it took three days to receive a boat from the authorities to reach the area.

Regarding the allegations that she had made certain statements, she denied having said such things and claimed that the local residents were spreading false information.

Bill Village’s Integration into Corporation and Current Challenges

Bill village was incorporated into the Vadodara Corporation in 2022. Since its inclusion, several new societies have developed in the area. However, residents face significant difficulties due to the lack of basic amenities, such as water lines and drainage for rainwater.

Last week, heavy rainfall and flooding from the Vishwamitri River resulted in widespread waterlogging throughout Bil. Residents were forced to live in flooded conditions for up to four days. The councillors, who visited the area only after the water had receded, faced backlash from the community. Instead of offering support, their comments seemed to exacerbate the residents’ frustrations, leading to increased anger among the locals.

Tax Collection Without Provision of Amenities Sparks Public Anger

It is noteworthy that several surrounding villages have been incorporated into the Vadodara Corporation, yet no amenities have been provided to these areas. Although the municipal corporation has begun collecting taxes from these villages, residents have not received any corresponding services. This lack of infrastructure has led to significant frustration and anger among the local population.