It was a triumph worth celebrating that the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) made full use of the occasion of Independence Day to highlight the clean-up at Ambazari, with successful removal of eichhornia. The challenge was enormous as each time the lake surface was cleaned, the fresh discharge of contaminated water into Ambazari led to reemergence of eichhornia. Marking the successful culmination of a month-long clean-up drive, NMC commemorated the milestone by carrying out Jal Pujan.

 

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Mayor Neeta Thakre performed Jal Pujan and enjoyed a ceremonial boat ride aboard a Fire Department vessel on Sunday. NMC has claimed that Ambazari Lake is on the verge of being completely freed from the clutches of water hyacinth (jalparni). But the victory came a long battle with eichhornia. Each time the water lake was removed of the water hyacinth, a new wave of weed would grow, frustrating the officials. Finally local representatives worked with NMC officials and drew-up a plan to stop fresh growth. Side by side, efforts to tug out the eichhornia was doubled, new machines with powerful suction motors were deployed and the results is crystal clear water at Ambazari Lake. Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari commended the NMC for enhancing the city’s happiness index through public initiatives like the revitalised Ambazari Lake. He issued a stern warning against the discharge of polluted industrial effluents from MIDC and Wadi into the water body, directing officials to initiate strict legal action against violators.

 

He also instructed authorities to obtain Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) water quality reports from CSIR-NEERI and suggested introducing water sports facilities at the lake. Mayor Thakre termed the lake the pride of city, crediting inter-departmental co-ordination under Municipal Commissioner Dr Vipin Itankar for restoring its pristine glory at minimal cost. Standing Committee Chairperson Shivani Wakhare explained that a gabion abatement was constructed in the lake alongside deploying poclain and JCB machines for non-stop clearing operations. The ceremony was attended by MP Maya Ivnate, MLAs, corporators, and administrative officials. Union Minister Gadkari also felicitated key personnel and technicians including machinery operators, civic engineers, forest officers, and fire personnel who spearheaded the de-weeding project.

 

 

The real test for civic body officials was diverting the polluted water streaming in from the untreated sewage coming from adjoining local bodies in precincts of Ambazari Lake. The sewage treatment plant (STP) for treating the effluents from Wadi Nagar Panchayat is likely to be completed which would ensure that only treated water is released in the lake. Prior to that NMC officials have constructed gabion abatement to stop the flow of untreated water into Ambazari Lake. This is a small dam that diverts the incoming flow and arrests the free movement of eichhornia. Since the STP is yet to be commissioned, the citizens are keeping their fingers crossed and hope that the lake water remains clean.