Green crusader’s push: Feasibility report for expediting Pandhrabodi Lake rejuvenation

Nagpur: Two years after highways and road transport minister Nitin Gadkari promised to rejuvenate the historic Pandhrabodi Lake in Ram Nagar into an ‘Amrit Sarovar’, a feasibility report submitted to Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) has recommended expediting lake rejuvenation by employing sustainable and eco-friendly technologies, and dredging the lake bed.On July 17, 2022, dedicating 1.25 lakh saplings at 114 spots on national highways across the country from LIT College, Gadkari announced the PWD (NH Division) will rejuvenate Pandhrabodi and Telangkhedi lakes under the ‘Amrit Sarovar Abhiyan’, and use the silt and soil for development of flyover on Amravati road, work on which has already started. The proposal to rejuvenate Pandhrabodi Lake is being pushed by green crusader Baba Deshpande of Vruksha Savwardhan Samiti, Gokulpeth. Deshpande said, “Over 25,000 crore litres of rainwater goes down the drain from the hillocks of LIT College. If the water is diverted to Pandhrabodi Lake, which is hardly 500 metres from the college, it will revitalize the dying water body.”“For the last 4 years, I’ve been pushing for the project, which will be a boon for the city. The lake water can be used to water plantations and cement roads. Presently, nullah water is used to water plants on the median,” Deshpande said.A feasibility report by city environmental consultant Sandeep Shirkhedkar recommended restricting the entry of sewage into the lake and building wetlands around it. The report calls for a sewage collection system by setting up an STP, besides impounding stormwater and increasing the capacity of the lake.“Our field study has found that the catchment has been divided and all waterways to the lake have been closed. The rainwater runs off into the nearby drains and not into the lake. There is a large quantity of silt deposited in the lake, which needs dredging. The lake has immense potential for rejuvenation and restoration,” said Shirkhedkar.Sources said last week a meeting was held with NIT chairman Manoj Suryawanshi, Baba Deshpande, former chief engineer of VIDC Sanjay Kholapurkar, and NIT executive engineer Prashant Bhandarkar. However, NIT officials said they did not have funds to go ahead with the project. TOI calls to NIT officials did not evoke a response.The recommendations include increasing catchment area and ensure rainwater enters the lake. Improving waterway frontage with revegetation, preventing stock access to waterways, maintaining onsite wastewater treatment systems, and prevent soil erosion.The report has called for community involvement by making them aware of the ecological, hydrological, environmental, and social-cultural importance of the lake. It has also recommended beautification in the 2,500 sq m area available by setting up a children’s park and installing equipment such as swings, slides, and basketball, or volleyball courts. A jogging track all around the lake can also be built.This is not the first time a rejuvenation plan is being prepared. In 2015, NMC spent over Rs3.5 crore on desilting the lake and constructing a retaining wall, dividing the lake into two portions. The plan also included diverting LIT hill water to the lake. However, the project wound up midway for want of funds.The rejuvenation by the civic body was a sequel to residents of Baji Prabhu Nagar along with then corporator Parinay Fuke and an NGO filing a petition highlighting the sorry state of the lake. Following court directives, NMC demanded funds from state to revive the lake. As per official figures, the lake once spread over 27 acres, has shrunk to 6.20 acres.