Expressing concern over the pathetic condition of Ambazari Lake embankment at overflow point, Sandip Joshi, Mayor, has asked Irrigation Department to carry out repairs without wasting much time. Also, he has asked Maha Metro to remove the debris dumped on the banks of the lake immediately.

 

The Mayor visited the area on Friday and took stock of the situation from Swami Vivekananda Memorial. He interacted with the officers concerned. He pointed out that Ambazari Lake and Swami Vivekananda Memorial were the beauty spots of Nagpur. However, the debris dumped by Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation (Maha Metro) during construction on the banks of the lake not only looks ugly but also poses danger to the structure of the embankment, he said. Hence, he said, Maha Metro should immediately remove the debris.

 

Joshi inspected the embankment. The embankment is very old and its wall has worn out. Considering its present condition, care must be taken to ensure that the embankment is not endangered or does not breach, he said. Pointing out damaged portion of the embankment structure, he directed the officials of Irrigation Department to repair the dam immediately. Also, he directed the officials to call a joint meeting of Maha Metro, Irrigation Department, and Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) on this important issue next week. After discussing the issue at length, appropriate decisions will be taken in the meeting, he added.

 

Shweta Banerjee, Superintending Engineer, Public Engineering Department of NMC, said that the Irrigation Department had been informed about need for repair of the embankment. NMC has received Rs 1 crore from Maha Metro for repairs, and the same has been transferred to Irrigation Department for carrying out repairs, she informed the Mayor. In response, Joshi asked Irrigation Department to act swiftly and expedite repairs. Amar Bagde, Chairman of Dharampeth Zone; Varsha Thakre, Dr Parineeta Fukey and Manoj Ganveer, Executive Engineer, accompanied Mayor during his visit to Ambazari lake overflow point.

 

 

 

 

After follow up by Water Supply Department of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and Irrigation Department, Central Design Organisation (CDO) has given approval to the plan for strengthening and beautification of Ambazari lake structures.

 

 

 

 

Following the High Court orders issued in 2018, Water Supply Department of NMC wrote to Executive Engineer, Nagpur Irrigation Division (South), for strengthening of the embankment and beautification. Irrigation Department sought several documents from NMC. These documents included drawing of existing masonry dam, deepest foundation level of dam and retaining wall, designed flood value, area of catchment, controlling levels of dam and retaining wall, compressive strength of existing masonry, plan and cross-section of Energy Dissipation Arrangement, plan of tail channel and I-section at centre left and right.

 

In April this year, NMC informed Irrigation Department that the latter had done strengthening of Ambazari lake between 1992 and 1995. Then, NMC had already provided all 49 original maps Irrigation Department, but the latter ‘did not return the original maps to NMC till date’. Also, NMC had provided information as per the check-list of CDO, to Irrigation Department.

NMC also transferred Rs 1 crore received from Maha Metro, to Irrigation Department before April this year. Irrigation Department still asked the Nagpur Municipal Corporation to follow up the matter of vetting of Ambazari dam design, with CDO. NMC sent officials to meet CDO officers in person.

 

Later, in May this year, Irrigation Department had informed NMC Water Supply Department that the former had received design and plan from a private firm and both were vetted by Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology.

 

The design and plan were submitted to CDO, Nashik. CDO had raised certain queries about earth work. The agencies replied to the queries. Subsequently, CDO found that the embankment was stable but approved the design with some modifications.