Yet another water body in city is under threat as the development juggernaut that put Futala Lake on a drip has now set its eyes on Gandhi Sagar Lake, trying to replicate a project similar to one that failed to take off at earlier site. Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is planning to set up a mega fountain at the historic lake bed. The lake dates back to 275 years and was initiated as a source of drinking water supply for old Nagpur city. It was constructed during the rule of Chand Sultan of Gond Dynasty. Earlier, it was known as Jumma Tank and later christened as Shukrawari Lake and now commonly called as Gandhi Sagar. The lake is presently undergoing redevelopment and hence it has been dewatered as plan is to plug the source of pollution that threatened the aquatic life in the water body. Under the Central Government’s AMRUT 2.0 Scheme, water bodies in cities have been taken up for rejuvenation, though the progress is quite slow. As usual, at first the authorities have given thrust on beautification at the lake, as other major work relating to rejuvenation is intensive, capital wise as well as time consuming.

 

Right now, the progress is achieved on putting up retaining wall around the lake. Nearly one-third area stands covered and now the remaining portion, on the side of Raman Science Centre would be covered, said Anil Gedam, Executive Engineer, NMC. Apart from the fountain, the details of the project are still being worked out, the civic body is also planning for construction of an auditorium on the lake’s bank. The hall is meant as replacement for the present Bal Bhavan. The officials said it has outlived its purpose and hence would be demolished at later stage, Gedam said. The fountain plan is under active consideration of Electrical Department.

 

Rajendra Rathod, Executive Engineer, Electrical Department, NMC, said the civic body has gone for appointment of a consultant to suggest the best way to go ahead with the project. Right now, there is only an idea and once consultant's report is received, NMC would take the final decision on the project of fountain. Officials said they are well aware of the fate of musical fountain project at Futala Lake, which was chaperoned by Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT), and hence are treading cautiously. The formalities like obtaining permission from Town Planning are being done for Gandhi Sagar project, learning perhaps from the doomed Futala Lake project. But that apart, when asked about the reasons for grounding of Futala Lake fountain, the officials commented that they do not know the exact details that led to its closure. They added that since the fountain project was handled by NIT, they are not aware of exact details as to why it has stopped functioning. When pointed out that Apex Court stayed the fountain project with observation that water body cannot be used for such things, the