Beautification and conservation of Bhopal’s 10 lakes should be monitored constantly
Bhopal: A Rs. 216 crore project has been chalked out to beautify and preserve 10 lakes of Bhopal city. Funding for the project will be done in the shape of loan by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Urban Administration and Development Minister reviewed progress of the project here today. Shri Gaur said that work to beautify and preserve lakes is being carried out by various agencies. Coordination between them is needed so that the work is done smoothly. He also stressed the need for accomplishing the work within time-limit. It was informed at the meeting that the work of deciding on consultant for preparing DPR of the project will be completed by July-end.
Minister Shri Gaur said that there will be need to provide jobs in tourism sector to people to ensure environmental conservation of the lakes. He directed officers to include maximum number of tourism sector works in the detailed action plan. Shri Gaur said that apart from these 10 lakes, work of installing marking pillars on these water bodies of the city should also be done. He directed officers to ensure strict action against polluters and encroachers in lake areas. Mayor Smt. Krishna Gaur informed that apart from 10 lakes, information about other water bodies of Bhopal has also been compiled. They will also be preserved. She informed that Saryu Sarovar in Ayodhya Basti will be developed by Tourism Department while it will be maintained by municipal corporation.
Secretary Urban Administration Shri S.K. Mishra informed that apart from government agencies, help of NGOs will also be sought for lakes’ conservation. He said that Rs. 3 crore dredger machine will be purchased to remove water hyacinth from the Upper Lake. Commissioner Urban Administration Shri Sanjay Shukla informed that a cell has been constituted in municipal corporation to monitor beautification and preservation of 10 lakes. A sum of Rs. 12 crore has been provisioned under Mukhyamantri Adhosanrachna Vikas Yojana for proposed works of the Lower Lake. Collector Bhopal Shri Nishant Barbade informed about removal of encroachments from lake areas.
Commissioner Municipal Corporation Shri Vishesh Garhpale informed that 31 km long sewage line has been laid in 10 wards on the banks of Upper Lake. In all, 306 marking pillars have been installed to identify 50 meter distance from full tank level of the Upper Lake. A Rs. 18 crore 6 lakh schemes for lake front development in Khanugaon has been sent to the Union Government.
Land is being identified for parking near Kamla Park. Floating fountain has been released in the Lower Lake. Work is underway to install coloured lights there. Boundaries of the Lower Lake are being surveyed. After survey, polluting sources will be fully plugged. Dredger and weeding machines are being purchased to remove water hyacinth from the Lower Lake. Apart from the Upper and Lower lakes, information about works was also given about 8 other lakes including Motia Talab, Bagh Munshi Hussain Khan Talab, Siddique Hasan Khan Talab, Shahpura Lake, Laharpur, Char Imli and Sarangpani Lake situated in BHEL area.
Officers of Tourism Development Corporation, Capital Project, EPCO, Horiticulure and Forest departments attended the meeting.
