Even after four years of continuous efforts, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is struggling to complete the rejuvenation project of the iconic Gandhisagar Lake, a crown jewel of Mahal. As the project is just halfway through, this slow-paced project has raised serious questions about the NMC’s handling of one of the city’s rarest natural water bodies. Since nearly four consecutive summers, the NMC has been carrying out the project, while the civic body claims Phase-1 is finally complete and discussions are in progress regarding execution of Phase-2.

 

The ambitious rejuvenation project, backed by a Rs 49.82 crore administrative approval, is a joint venture between the Maharashtra Government (Rs 37.36 crore) and NMC (Rs 12.46 crore). Officials from the NMC Dhantoli Zone shared that approximately Rs 36.92 crore has been utilised till date. NMC officials claim that, finally, the first phase of the project has been completed, with Rs 36.92 crore spent on its beautification and strengthening project. Phase-1 included desilting, strengthening of north and east walls, construction of pathways, security walls, electrification, and bridge construction for the Page Garden. To ensure the structural integrity of these developments, a technical audit was conducted by the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT).

 

The slow progress has drawn sharp attention from green activists. Kaustav Chatterjee, Founder of Green Vigil Foundation, emphasised that, rejuvenation of the lakes is welcome as it is much needed in the city, but it should never come at the cost of harming the aquatic ecosystem. “The civic body must ensure that percolation continues at the lake bottom to maintain groundwater recharge for nearby wells,” Chatterjee stated. An NMC official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, attributed the four-year delay to the untimely allocation of funds. “Although multiple work orders were issued starting in 2022, the project frequently stalled while waiting for financial disbursements. However, engineers are optimistic that the lake is recovering itself and will reach its initial water levels by this monsoon,” official added.