The Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) has officially launched a comprehensive rejuvenation project aimed at the restoration of Lower Lake (Chhota Talab) and Shahpura Lake, with an estimated investment of Rs 12 crore. This strategic initiative prioritises ecological conservation, rigorous pollution control, and aesthetic upgrades to restore the city’s iconic water bodies to their former glory. According to civic authorities, decades of accumulated silt and waste have drastically reduced the depth and storage capacity of both lakes, necessitating immediate intervention through scientific desilting and bank stabilisation efforts. In a bid to maintain the delicate ecological balance of the Lower Lake, which is classified as a vital wetland, the corporation has opted for stone pitching instead of permanent concrete structures along its banks. This approach is designed to prevent erosion while allowing for natural water filtration and habitat preservation. A major component of the project involves the diversion of untreated sewage that currently flows into the lakes; these effluents will now be rerouted and released only after undergoing thorough processing at dedicated treatment facilities. The work at Lower Lake, currently estimated at Rs 4.97 crore, covers a 1.4-kilometre stretch where existing bank pitching has deteriorated over time. To enhance the lake’s visual appeal and improve aeration, five new fountains are being installed.

 

Furthermore, the BMC is developing a new pedestrian pathway in the Professor Colony area, complemented by a large-scale plantation drive to increase green cover. To address the significant pollution entering from the Banganga drain, a 10 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) is being commissioned to ensure that only treated, clean water enters the lake basin. Simultaneously, Shahpura Lake is undergoing a Rs 6.5 crore transformation focusing on desilting and infrastructure beautification. While the lake currently houses one fountain, seven additional units have been proposed to improve the landscape. The project also includes integrated treatment systems for water discharging from the Panchsheel and Chunabhatti drains. Beyond water quality, the surrounding environment will be upgraded with modern lighting, new pathways, and a dedicated public park planned near Bansal Hospital to provide enhanced recreational spaces for citizens. In a parallel development, the state authorities are moving forward with a proposal to transform the Kaliyasot River into a riverfront modelled after the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. This plan follows a site visit by MLA Rameshwar Sharma earlier this year and is currently in the tender phase. Additional Commissioner Tanmay Vashishth Sharma confirmed that these multifaceted measures, including pitching, desilting, and the installation of new fountains, are part of a broader vision to preserve the city’s aquatic heritage and improve the urban environment.