Naik Talao Lake rejuvenation project: After beginning work comes to standstill
| Date :05-Mar-2020 |
By Vikas Vaidya :
Taking serious cognisance of conditions of lake in city which are on the verge of extinction, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) last year had decided to rejuvenate the lakes. To begin with, it prepared a project for the rejuvenation of Naik Talao. Things moved a bit. But, with new Government coming in, the project has come to a standstill. Summer has begun and if the experts’ predictions are taken seriously then this season citizens are likely to witness scorching heat.
In that case lakes would be the major resources of water and NMC needs to take some concrete step. NMC had decided to do rejuvenation of Naik Talao first. Earlier, NMC had planned to go with the project involving Futala and Naik Talao both. National Environmental Engineering and Research Institute (NEERI) had submitted Detailed Project Report (DPR) regarding rejuvenation of Naik Talao. Work order was issued for the same. NEERI was to act as Consultant. The budget of this project is around Rs 4 to 5 crore. Futala lake rejuvenation work would be taken later.
Sandip Joshi, Mayor told ‘The Hitavada’, “Summer 2019 was very difficult for civic authorities to manage supply of water to citizens of Nagpur. It had compelled NMC to rejuvenate lakes in the city to increase ground water level so it had decided to start the process of rejuvenation of Naik and Futala lakes. NMC had consulted NEERI for the conservation of lake purpose. It prepared a plan for Futala and Naik lakes. It gave NMC the report which was regarding treatment of water.
We got some money for Naik Talao and some for Gandhisagar. We have decided to start the rejuvenation work as early as possible.” As a Corporator, Joshi did desilting work at Sonegaon lake that helped and water level was increased. As per the project NEERI is supposed to find out the source of pollution. The agency doing this work will not only have to find out the source but also come up with the solution to destroy it. Naik Talao receives water from one of the overflows of the Lendi Talao at its Southern edge. The water that comes to Naik Talao from Lendi is highly contaminated. Considering proximity of Naik to Lendi lake, it is not that easy for any agency to come up with the solution. But NEERI and NMC are firm to resolve the issue. ‘The Hitavada’ tried to contact Tukaram Mundhe, new Municipal Commissioner but he did not pick up the call.
