Alleging gross negligence and corruption in the ongoing beautification and cleaning of the historic Hanumantal Lake, Congress corporators staged a massive protest along the lake after inspecting the stalled works. Leader of Opposition in Jabalpur Municipal Corporation (JMC), Amrish Mishra stated that the development project is being carried out under the AMRUT scheme with an estimated cost of Rs 1.60 crore. He said the project timeline, including the monsoon period, is around nine months, but even before the onset of rains only about 25 per cent of the lake’s silt has been removed, the rest remains settled at the bottom. Apart from that, no visible developmental work has been carried out in and around the lake area.

 

During the inspection, Congress corporators noticed rampant growth of parthenium weeds (commonly known as ‘gajar ghaas’) around the lake and observed that the desilting process was grossly inadequate. They said that although silt was partially extracted from the lake, it was never properly lifted and transported away. As a result, monsoon rains washed it right back into the Hanumantal lake. Accusing the ruling BJP party in the JMC of mismanagement and corruption, the Congress Corporators alleged that internal conflicts between the Mayor and the local MLA have led to the neglect of Hanumantal Lake. They further alleged that JMC officials and ruling party leaders are merely doing formalities in the name of beautification, while using the project as an opportunity for personal gain. Congress Corporators said they will not tolerate this mockery of public money and resources.