Sonegaon lake, a victim of systematic murderous plan

Once a glory of Nagpur city, Sonegaon lake has reduced to half of its original size, thanks to the apathy shown by politicians of yesteryears and the then civic officials. The authorities allowed choking of catchment area of this once large lake by establishing a locality on it, jeopardising its survival. Situated in the South West side of the city, the lake is spread on around 20 hectare. It was constructed in Bhosle period and was used to supply water the military base. Lake wall is still in very good shape. There are two temples on the banks of the lake. With locality coming up around it, drainage water started releasing into it. The catchment area of Sonegaon is the origination of Pora river.

Due to the establishment of locality on the catchment area the overflow was experienced by Nagpurians two years ago. Sonegaon is an important part of water resource. The disturbance at its catchment area resulted into the water overflow and logging in the locality. Even the Airport compound used to get flooded with the lake water.

The decision to divert the lake water towards a nearby nullah by the authority was the beginning of ‘murder’ of this beautiful water body of the city. The move is a good example of alleged nexus of builders and politicians. There were three intake wells near the lake through which water was tunneled to the downstream side of the lake. These intake wells are now closed and the overflow of water is now diverted from Northern side of the lake which does not suit the topography of the area. Maximum water level of the lake seems to be decreased due to the lower level of this new overflow. Original lake bed along the wall is paved which now not visible due to heavy siltation.

Sandip Joshi, Leader of Ruling Party in Nagpur Municipal Corporation has started desilting Sonegaon lake from past two years which is showing some results as far as water availability is concerned. But this is a temporary solution. Because catchment area is already disturbed. Airport Authority has diverted storm water and it is also not managed in the upcoming residential development. Many houses in the surrounding area have wells and decreasing water level will have its effects on the lake water. Over the past several years, civic authority though made several plans but all remained on paper. Surprisingly, the local residents of this area, in-spite of protecting the water body, were busy in encroachment on this lake. Apathy of local residents is also the reason of this diminishing lake.