Surat : Special Committee for Creek Flood Prevention Exposed as Mere Eyewash

Surat | Gujarat — For millions of residents in the diamond city of Surat, creek floods have become a man-made nightmare that repeats year after year. From 2019 to 2025, not a single monsoon has passed without floodwaters devastating lives, businesses, and homes—causing damages worth thousands of crores. Yet, despite tall promises, a so-called “Special Committee for Creek Flood Prevention” has delivered little more than files, meetings, and empty assurances.

Local activist Sanjay Ezhava, who lodged a formal complaint before the Gujarat State Human Rights Commission (GHRC), described the situation bluntly: “This committee is a farce. Its work exists only on paper. The people of Surat have been left to drown while officials trade reports and deadlines.”

GHRC admits it is a state policy issue

In its order dated August 8, 2025, the GHRC acknowledged receiving Ezhava’s complaint but distanced itself from action, stating that the matter falls under “state government policy requiring large-scale planning, disaster assessment, and coordination across institutions.” The commission merely registered the case, leaving citizens frustrated with the bureaucratic passing of responsibility.

“Even the Human Rights Commission recognizes the scale of the crisis, yet no authority is ready to take accountability,” Ezhava added.

A 7-day directive ignored for 70 days

The illusion of progress became clearer after the second meeting of the Special Committee on July 14, 2025, chaired by Surat Municipal Commissioner Shalini Agarwal. In the meeting, the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) was ordered to survey the industrial effluent discharged into the creek and submit a report within seven days.

However, when information was sought through the RTI Act, the GPCB’s Regional Officer replied on August 28, 2025, that “the survey report is not available in branch records.” In other words, a clear directive given by the city’s top municipal authority remained unimplemented even after 70 days.

“This is not negligence, this is willful disregard,” remarked a retired municipal engineer. “Industrial pollution, illegal encroachments, and ignored drainage planning have turned creeks into time bombs. Unless acted upon, the floods will only grow deadlier.”

Citizens losing faith in governance

Residents of low-lying neighborhoods, repeatedly hit by creek floods, voice despair. “Every year we repair our homes and restart our businesses, only to be flooded again. There is no compensation, no rehabilitation, and no accountability,” said a textile trader from Pandesara.

The failure of the Special Committee has further eroded public trust. Civic groups now plan to escalate the issue legally and politically, challenging the state government’s apathy.

Activists vow to take the fight higher

Ezhava has vowed to continue pressing for accountability: “We will challenge this issue at the appropriate level. The people of Surat will not remain silent victims of bureaucratic indifference. If this committee cannot act, it must be disbanded.”