TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)

Project: Consultancy services for Beautification of Steel Bridge and Falgu River front
development near Rubber Dam at Gaya, Bihar.
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Water Resources Department, Govt. of Bihar wants to beautify the steel bridge and
develop river front on both sides of River Falgu upto an extent of 550 m length and
average width of 15 m in u/s of rubber dam (total of tentative 1.1 km length including
both banks). The condition of this river is not very good and accordingly a need has been
felt for its rejuvenation and planned sustainable development. Water Resources
Department, Govt. of Bihar has proposed to beautify the steel bridge and the river front
development in River Falgu through infrastructure provision to provide good quality life
to the citizens in an integrated, equitable and sustainable manner. The focus to revolve
around the religious significance of the city.

Rivers and water are valuable natural resources for human life, the city environment and
the city’s development. Water resources such as sea, river or lake are added value to the
structure of a city in different ways. “Waterfronts” are characterized as a place
integrating land with water and having a natural attraction to people. The “waterfront” is
a zone of interaction between urban development and the water, and a waterfront area
is considered to be a unique and irreplaceable resource where it interfaces between
land, water, air, sun and plants.

For urban development the waterfronts are often strategic areas because their usage has
direct (or indirect) impacts on the image of the place (coastal city, city beside the lake,
riverside town) and on social equity, waterfronts as areas of high-value development (be
it housing, city centre, open public places etc.), and at the same time they quite often
represent unbuilt natural resources or green areas in the urban structure.

1.2 The Consultant shall be responsible for preparation of feasibility reports / detailed
project reports, transaction advisory / bid process management and project
management services. The details and particulars to be specified in this RFP shall be duly
addressed and incorporated therein, in accordance with the provisions of the RFP. WRD,
Govt of Bihar has proposed to beautify the steel bridge and riverfront development in
Falgu River through infrastructure provision to provide good quality life to the citizens in
an integrated equitable and sustainable manner.
2.0 City Context
Gaya is a city, municipal corporation and the administrative headquarters of Gaya district
and Magadh division of the Indian state of Bihar. Gaya is 116 kilometres (72 mi) south of Patna.
Gaya is the second-largest city in Bihar after the capital city of Patna. It has a population of
470,839. The city is surrounded on three sides by small,
rocky hills (Mangal-Gauri, Shringa-Sthan, Ram-Shila, and
Brahmayoni), with the Falgu river on its eastern side.
Falgu river is situated on its eastern side. It is a city of
historical significance and is one of the major tourist
attractions in India. Gaya is sanctified in the Jain, Hindu,
and Buddhist religions.  Gaya is mentioned in the great
epics, the Ramayan and the Mahabharat. It is the place
where Lord Rama, with Sita and Lakshmana, came to
offer pind-daan for their father, Dasharath, and
continues to be a major Hindu pilgrimage site for the Falgu river ghat
pind-daan ritual.

From this context, River Falgu and the ghats of the river plays an important role to the
people in and outside Bihar after all after-death religious ritual to pay homage and
respect to the departed.

FALGU RIVERFRONT

The portion of the course of the Falgu flowing by Gaya is sacred to the Hindus. It is
considered the first holy site visited by the pilgrim and here his first offering must be made
for the souls of his ancestors. According to the Gaya Mahatmya, which forms part of the
Vayu Purana, the Falgu is the embodiment of Vishnu himself. One tradition states that it
formerly flowed with milk.

According to Hindu belief, the soul wanders after death until pindadan, or religious service
seeking salvation for the dead from the cycle of rebirth, is performed. The fortnight-
long pitrapaksh period is considered auspicious to offer pindadan. The 15 days of the
waning moon during the Hindu month of Ashvin are known as pitrapaksh. Pindadan is
traditionally offered on the banks of the Falgu at Gaya. It is mandatory for Hindu devotees
offering pindadan to shave their heads and take a holy dip and head for the Baitarni pond.
The prayers are performed at the Vishnupad Mandir. Thousands of Hindus visit Gaya for
the purpose of pindadan and assemble on the ghats of Falgu riverfront.

In addition, Bodh Gaya, where Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment, is one of the
four holy sites of Buddhism. It is closely associated with Buddhism for its close vicinity to
Bodhgaya. But since the 10th century it has also been an important Hindu religious
centre. The Mahabodhi Temple complex at Bodh Gaya is a World Heritage Site.
The Phalgu or Falgu, a river that flows past Gaya from its eastern site hence is a sacred
river for Hindus as well as Buddhists in Bihar.
 The presence of a World Heritage Site also puts Gaya on the map of international
tourism.

Lord Vishnu's famous Temple Vishnupad temple is situated on the bank of Falgu river.
Vishnupad Temple ( that literally means  'temple of Vishnu's feet'), is one of the ancient
and most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The coordinates of the temple
is 24°43′41″N 85°00′47″E. This temple is located on the bank of the river Falgu, marked by a
footprint of Lord Vishnu known as Dharmasila, incised into a block of basalt. The
Vishnupad temple is the center for Shraddha rites in Gaya, that makes the ghat
rejuvenation project all the more important.

3.0 Aim
To give implementable solutions for achieving good connection between environment and
community for integrated development of waterfront.

4.0 Objective
The main objective of the project is to provide Gaya city with a meaningful waterfront
environment along the banks of the River Falgu near the well-known Vishnupad Temple &
its religious ghats. The project looks to reconnect the city with the river and positively
transform the neglected & dilapidated aspects of the riverfront..

5.0 Broad Scope of work

In order to achieve the strategic vision of Falgu river front development i.e., to preserve its
cultural heritage, the concept shall be to build a series of ‘nodes’ or event areas connected
by a redeveloped riverfront ghat and promenade walk.
The broad scope of work includes beautification of steel bridge and Falgu Riverfront
development proposal with implementation of all Civil, Architectural (including Horticulture
and Landscaping), Electrical works, etc. as per the Schedule of Rates (S.O.R), Specifications,
Engineering Standards & all relevant codal provisions and construction Drawings.
Contractor shall have to do all the relevant survey viz, topographical, geotechnical,
infrastructural survey etc. Contractor shall do all the design development and working
drawings and take the approvals of the same from Authority.
Contractor shall have to take all the necessary approvals, if any, from respective
Departments. Contractor shall do all necessary co-ordination activities with Authority and
different departments involved for seamless implementation of the said works.
5.1 Area of work

This Project is an important project that has following necessary key components:

I. River cleaning & desilting

 II. Rejuvenation of Falgu river ghat - The ghat can be rejuvenated on both bank
and in addition to religious rituals & pooja ceremonies, these can also be used
as open-air seating or as small-scale Amphitheatre kind of set up where small
events can be organized,
III. River side promenade walk & cycle track - Other than the predominant ghat
area next to Vishnupad Temple, a stretch of promenade walkway with
stone/cobblestone paving to be developed edging the river. One lane along the
walkway can be established as a Bicycle Lane, that can be used as a
recreational cycling zone as well a connection to the neighbouring roads near
the river front. On the Right bank visitors pathway from Rubber dam to Sita
Kund should be developed for connectivity between Rubber Dam and
Sitakund.
IV. Falgu river side landscaping, garden development & tree plantation-
Landscaping should be provided on both side of Falgu river, Greenry along the
promenade walkway/cycle track can be proposed to provide the users an area
for relaxing in the greenery. Family activities like picnics can take place in these
lawn and planted/flower bed/ tree cluster areas.
V. Heritage Walk Trail
VI. Entrance gateway - A prominent entrance gateway (in line with the temple
architecture) embedded in greenery and planting can be proposed as a
celebrated entry to the ghat & river front area.
VII. Street furniture – Signages, stone benches, Water ATMs & dustbins.
installation of signages
VIII. Beautification of steel bridge- Length, width and height of the steel bridge is
411 m, 3 m, & 7 m respectively. The beautification of steel bridge should be
done in ornamental way so that it can attract the tourist. The work also
includes the led lighting system which include illuminated lighting with
stainless steel casing for protection against splashing water and debris. In
addition to this, led lighting show should be provided on ponded water to
telecast the Ramayan chapter and two screen 3x5 m for telecasting bhajan.
IX. Aerators – Aeration system to inhance the quality of ponded water.
X. Silt removal and ejector system to clean silt and pebbles deposition from led
platform

Scope of work includes applying the design principles, objective and expected
outcomes illustrated in drawings. The Implementing Agency shall review the design
and details for betterments or improvements if any which may be incorporated to
better achieve the Employer’s goals and objectives. These betterments, if any, shall
 be submitted by the Implementing Agency to the Employer for review and for the
approval before the commencement of on ground working stage.

The main rejuvenation activities to be taken up to enhance the existing facilities

are:

1. Ghat rejuvenation activities {large platforms with or without covering, Havan

kund (if required) etc.} that would help & encourage people to perform
religious rituals like havan, pooja, shradh with a better experience.
2. Repair work and redoing the stone flooring wherever the repair is required
can be planned.
3. Installation of landscape beautifying structures like Pavilions, pergolas as
shaded seating/resting spots within the ghat area can be proposed.
4. Proposal of planter seating areas under shade of trees or trellis work covered
with dense climbers can be proposed to enhance and reduce the heat island
effect of the largely paved area of the ghat.

6.0 Deliverables
The Consultant shall deliver the following deliverables (the “Deliverables”) during the
course of this Consultancy for each assigned project based on the requirement.

S.No. Deliverables Timelines

1. Inception Report Within 7 days from issue of
workorder
2. Survey Report Within 14 days from issue of
workorder
3. Feasibility Report / Draft DPR Within 21 days from issue of
workorder
4. Permission, if required, from Water Before submission of final DPR
Resources Department
5. Final DPR Within 30 days from issue of
workorder
6. Estimate Within 7 days from approval of final
DPR