Lake rejuvenation programme undertaken by Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is proving to be a nightmare for the citizens whose patience is being tested beyond limits by the administrators and rulers alike. The ongoing project of rejuvenation-cum-beautification of Gandhisagar Lake is a tale that defies the logic. One fathoms to understand as to how long the public projects are going to run and how long the people have to wait for reclaiming their heritage. Questions arise as nothing seems to be moving on front of rejuvenation in past four years and visit to site leaves one clueless as to exactly which work is currently on. The initial gusto as seen during draining of lake water and removing of silt is nowhere visible today. In fact, the project speed is like any other Government project going on in city. One is reminded of Pardi Square project where even today, one is not able to get a clear picture of development, let alone benefits accruing to citizens. Now, the project has hit a slow phase as the civic body machinery is spread thin as all the lakes in city have been taken up for rejuvenation under Central Government-funded scheme simultaneously. In a bid to showcase frenzy of development, there seems to be no adherence to deadline for wrapping up works that were started first and then shifting to new works.

 

This particular project has now got down to the typical Government-funded public projects as the machinery involved in supervision is over-loaded and hence the visible slowdown at Gandhisagar. The bhoomipujan of the Gandhisagar Lake rejuvenation was done in the year 2021 by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Devendra Fadnavis, the then Leader of Opposition. But after four years down the lane, people are still waiting to see any tangible benefits of the project. In the process, much of the water has vanished and the project is now a source of major headache for people in city. Residents living in the area have not seen the lake as a tin shed has been put around the water body blocking the lake view. In view of this, a question arises as to what exactly is going on at Gandhisagar, is the lake being rejuvenated or just beautified and what’s taking so long for the project to get completed? Authorities too have no answer to their questions. One can see the status of lake from Savitribai Phule Udyan near Jhulelal Temple. Water is accumulated in a scattered manner in the lake and some incomplete construction work is also visible at some places. Despite no definite progress, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) officers are confident that the beautification work would be completed by June 2024.

 

However, If takes a stroll around the lake, one would feel that completing the project within next three months seems quite difficult. With summer approaching, people feel civic body should initiate measures to have enough water in the lake if the rejuvenation and desilting work is not over by then. As per the plan, a renovation of Pagey Garden and development of a three-storey auditorium was proposed. With the sanction of Rs 31.5 crore for the project, a three-level floating restaurant in the water body too was announced as part of this ambitious project. Apart from the beautification project, NMC has already received Rs 100 crore for the rejuvenation of Gandhisagar, Sonegaon and Sakkardara lakes. NMC had announced that the rejuvenation work would be completed by January 2024. No steps have been taken in that regard except some patch work. A senior citizen on condition of anonymity told ‘The Hitavada’, “Since long ,we are living in this area and have seen this lake in its pristine glory from close quarters. One fine morning, huge tin sheds were erected around the lake for the reasons best known to the authorities. We are unaware about the nature of work going on at the lake. The lake’s sorry condition persists as it has since last three years.

 

Due to stalling of rejuvenation work, water remains accumulated in part of the lake that has now become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The residential localities around the lake are bearing the brunt of mosquitoes these days. Repeated complaints to NMC have fallen on deaf ears. The senior citizen has rightly pointed out that Gandhisagar Lake is now witnessing growth of grass and shrubs on its bed and this has further helped in breeding of mosquitoes. In fact, a delegation led by Pramod Chikhale, ex-Corporator, had met Dr Abhijeet Chaudhari, Municipal Commissioner and Administrator, and requested to remove the grass from the lake bed. If one passes by the present status of lake, one gets an impression that civic body has not taken any efforts to remove the grass and shrubs. Only silver lining of the project is the circular cement platforms around the lake that are constructed from where people could watch the lake view. At present, broken concrete structure are found scattered inside the lake and of late, garbage is also slowly accumulating there. The immersion tanks are in a very bad condition. This lake once was a glory of the city. In fact it was the only lake known all over the city till 25 years ago. Beautification or rejuvenation, whatever the authorities have planned, but people want to have a glimpse of the lake fully filled with water. Will the authorities to do its bit?