The inauguration of India’s first heritage riverfront, Chambal River Front took place on Tuesday, with the event being presided over by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Mr C.P. Joshi. Initially, the inauguration was supposed to be carried out by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, but it was abruptly cancelled on Monday night due to unavoidable reasons. Reports suggest that this cancellation came after objections raised by Congress legislator Bharat Singh and former BJP legislator Prahlad Gunjal regarding alleged irregularities in the Chambal River Front project.
The sudden cancellation of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s visit has raised questions. It is alleged that this project was executed in disregard of the directions of the Rajasthan High Court and Supreme Court. Subsequently, there was a scrutiny of all records related to the Chambal River Front on Monday, and it was found that there could be discrepancies in the construction. Therefore, the Chief Minister’s visit was called off. However, as of now, no official statement has been issued by the government justifying the cancellation.
It is also reported that a scheduled cabinet meeting in Kota, which was to be held on Wednesday, has also been cancelled in the wake of these developments.
Despite the Chief Minister’s cancelled visit, the program was carried out as planned, and the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Mr. C.P. Joshi, inaugurated the project. Mr Joshi unveiled a plaque amidst Vedic chants, Rajasthani music tunes, and presentations by folk artists at Nayapura Bawdi Ghat, offering this gift to the people of Kota. The event was attended by several members of the state cabinet, various board chairpersons, legislators, and a large number of respected citizens.
Dr. Joshi toured the Fawwara Ghat and Kanak Mahal with the state government’s ministers and MLAs, witnessed a fountain show, and visited the Vrindavan Garden. At Hadoti Ghat, he paid homage to Pannadhay and Hadoti Rani. He also saw an 84-pillar canopy here.
During the inauguration ceremony, local artists welcomed the guests with traditional folk music and dance performances, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the region. In addition to this, a band performance of the national tune was carried out by the army’s bagpipers.
This project includes various impressive features. It boasts the world’s tallest Nandi statue and grandiose gates. The Rajputana Ghat showcases the art and culture of nine regions of Rajasthan, including Shekhawati, Dhundhar, Marwar, Wagad, Mewar, Ahirwal, Mevat, Gorwar, and Hadauti. At Mukut Mahal, there’s an 80-foot-high roof and a Silicon Valley.
The Literary Ghat houses statues of renowned authors and books. This project has also set several world records, including the world’s largest bell at Ghanti Ghat, which can be heard from a distance of 8 kilometres. Additionally, there are monumental sculptures like the face mask of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru at Jawahar Ghat, the Nataraja statue at Nandi Ghat, and a 225-foot-tall marble sculpture of Chambal Mata.
The development of the Chambal River Front, spanning from Kota Barrage to Nayapura Bridge over a length of 2.75 kilometres, has significantly improved tourism and created flood-resistant settlements. It’s a substantial investment in preserving the environment, generating employment, and boosting the local economy.
During the inauguration ceremony, several ministers of the state government were in attendance. These included the Minister of Self-Government, Shri Shanti Kumar Dhariwal, the Minister of Education, Dr. B.D. Kalla, the Minister of Medical and Health, Shri Parasadi Lal Meena, and many others along with various board chairpersons, legislators, and senior officials of the state government.