Government of Maharashtra disbursed Rs 8.13 crore to Nagpur Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (NMRDA) for rejuvenation and development of Koradi Lake recently. The fund was released by Central Government under the centrally-sponsored National Aquatic Environment Conservation Scheme (NPCA). The fund will be transferred in the account of NMRDA of Bank of Maharashtra.

The State Cabinet recently approved Koradi Lake Rejuvenation Project costing Rs 43.69 crore in which 60% fund will be provided by Central Government and 40% will bear by the State Government.

Department of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Maharashtra is the Single Nodal Agency and S K Nikam, Joint Secretary, Department of Environment and Climate Change will be the controlling officer of the scheme.

Spread in 263 hectares adjacent to Shree Mahalaxmi Jagdamba temple, in Koradi, the lake is owned by Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited (MahaGenco).

The Centre will give Rs 26.21 crore and MahaGenco to contribute Rs 17.48 crore. Plan is to ensure treatment of water coming into the lake. There are six nullahs from where water enters the lake. Six sewage treatment plants will be constructed on these sources. The entire water body will not be desilted. Only a few parts of the lake, especially its outskirts, will be desilted. Works to strengthen the existing retaining wall will be undertaken.

National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) would be assigned the work of afforestation on the lake’s embankment and surroundings. Fisheries department will undertake works related to fish farming. Earlier, the project was estimated to cost Rs 97.77 crore but the Centre reduced the size of the project to nearly half.