“Vibrant Changes Ahead: Ambazari Lake’s Transformational Journey”
Nagpur : In a recent development regarding Ambazari Lake, the Divisional Commissioner disclosed during a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) hearing that a high-level committee has advocated the relocation of the statue of Swami Vivekananda, situated by the lake, to facilitate the free flow of water. The committee, comprised of representatives from the NMC, Chief Engineer of the Irrigation Department, and the Maharashtra Engineering Research Institute in Nashik, aims to implement measures outlined in the 2018 Irrigation Department report, including the removal of obstacles like the Swami Vivekananda statue.
Committee’s Endeavors and Funding Allocations
The Irrigation Department’s 2018 report emphasized the significance of relocating the statue to ensure unhindered water flow. Presently, the initiative to revitalize and beautify Ambazari Lake is gaining momentum, supported by an approved fund of Rs 21.07 crore for the deepening of the Nag river bed.
The Divisional Commissioner, in an affidavit presented to the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court, outlined the distribution of funds in four phases for various essential tasks. Justices Nitin Sambre and Abhay Mantri presided over the hearing, where it was revealed that the allocated funds would contribute to different phases of the ongoing project.
Clearing Encroachments and River Enhancement
Following the High Court’s previous instructions, a high-level committee is actively working to clear all encroachments along the Nag river. The current focus is on encroachment removal, aligned with the directive. Ambazari Lake, with a water discharge of 400 cubic meters and a carrying capacity of 60 cubic meters for the Nag river, is undergoing a comprehensive process of encroachment removal and riverbed deepening.
According to the Divisional Commissioner’s affidavit, efforts to fortify and enhance Ambazari Lake are already in progress. The Urban Development Department has formed a high-level committee, led by senior officials, tasked with ensuring the safety of Ambazari Lake, streamlining the Nag river, and eliminating encroachments along its banks.
Community Representation and Legal Proceedings
The PIL, filed by residents including Ramgopal Bachuka, Jayashree Bansod, and Natthuji Tikkas, represented by Adv Tushar Mandlekar, underscores the local community’s active involvement in the process. Additionally, Adv Deepak Thakre is representing the State Government in these crucial legal proceedings.
As Ambazari Lake undergoes a transformative journey, these strategic initiatives and legal interventions pave the way for a vibrant and revitalized water body, ensuring its sustainability for generations to come.
