Vadodara: Barodians may soon get the opportunity to watch crocodiles from close quarters — right beneath their feet. The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) plans to build Gujarat’s first crocodile-viewing skywalk over the Vishwamitri, which is home to over 460 crocodiles.The proposed skywalk will let visitors view the reptiles in their natural habitat. Officials said the design process has begun. “The project is at the planning stage as we are exploring various design options for a bridge that could become a landmark for the city. We are identifying a site where crocodiles can be seen throughout the day,” said Arun Mahesh Babu, Vadodara municipal commissioner.One of the ideas being considered is a glass-floored section that would let visitors look down and see crocodiles in the river below. “The final plan will be approved only after ensuring structural stability. The objective is to create a unique crocodile-viewing destination with an iconic design for Barodians and tourists,” said Mahesh Babu.Sources in the VMC said the skywalk will likely come up in Sayajibaug, as the Vishwamitri flows through the city’s largest park and this stretch of the river has plenty of crocodiles, along with other aquatic species such as soft-shell turtles. The final site will be decided over the next couple of months.Despite being the only city in the country where hundreds of crocodiles coexist with humans, authorities have so far not developed the riverfront as a tourist attraction. Residents and visitors are often seen gathering on bridges over the Vishwamitri to watch crocodiles basking on the riverbanks.
