Jogila Lake Revival Finalised, General Body Gives Its Nod

27 December, 2018

THANE: The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has finalized a Rs 2.5 crore worth systematic restoration and development plan for Jogila lake.

The revival of this apparently ‘dead’ lake in the Uthalsar ward is believed to be one of a first-of-its-kind initiative in the metropolitan area where underground springs that were buried under heaps of debris will now be excavated and rejuvenated. The project was unanimously approved by the Thane civic general body on Wednesday.

The mega plan entails not just reviving the natural water body but also beautification of the precincts spread over an area of 5,525sqm located in the heart of the city. The project entails two phases, one where the water body will be revived and the other where the surrounding area will be beautified under the Integrated Lake Development Project.

A study was undertaken along with experts from the NEERI, following which it was reported the natural springs were present but buried deep beneath the piles of debris dumped at the site, explained an official. Accordingly, the TMC wants to free up the lake bed of the debris and undertake excavation work upto 5 metres to locate and revive the natural springs.

“The water body was lost under rampant encroachments over the last few years and was once part of the 33 lakes, which had given the city its identity as a city of lakes. The revival was first announced by civic chief Sanjeev Jaiswal last year following which the officials were asked to take appropriate steps to remove the encroachments from the site and rehabilitate the residents,” said a senior civic official.

The second phase of the project entails beautification of the lake precincts measuring around 3,000sqm that will include providing entertainment features, including play area and a promenade for visitors along with basic facilities like landscaping and toilets, etc. The project is likely to be executed in six months after the date of commissioning, said an official.

“Till now, we have undertaken several clean-up initiatives of water bodies, but this project involves completely reviving a dead water body. We first decided to remove the hutments from over the lake bed and are now in the process of reviving the natural springs,” said a PWD official.

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com