Ambazari Lake Strengthening Project Nears Completion
The ongoing efforts to fortify Ambazari Lake are progressing on schedule, with an expected completion date set for August 7, according to an update from the Executive Engineer of the Irrigation Department, Nagpur. The recent affidavit submitted to the Nagpur bench of the High Court acknowledges the progress and outlines the next hearing scheduled for March 13 before Justice Nitin Sambre and Justice Abhay Mantri.
The first phase of priority works, focused on strengthening Ambazari Lake, concluded successfully in March 2023. Following this, the second phase commenced on February 8, prompted by an executive order. The Irrigation Department assured in its affidavit that the ongoing works would be finalized by August 7.
The urgency in fortifying Ambazari Lake follows adverse events in September 2023, where heavy rains led to water incidents. In response to a directive from the High Court, the State Urban Development Department formed a committee with a mandate to develop strategies to prevent similar incidents and safeguard local interests.
Beyond dam fortification, the State Urban Development Department aims to address broader water management and encroachment issues. The committee's mandate includes developing strategies to prevent future incidents and safeguard the interests of the local populace.
Legal actions and interventions stem from a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by residents of the Ambazari area, including representatives such as Ramgopal Bachuka, Jayashree Bansod, Natthuji Tikkha, and others. The legal proceedings involve Advocates Tushar Mandlekar representing the petitioners and Deepak Thakre representing the State.
Residents of Ambazari area have raised objections to the recent affidavit, dismissing it as mere eyewash. Concerns arise regarding the proposed construction of four spillway gates, potentially resulting in the complete emptying of the dam and ecological disruptions. The affidavit's lack of a concrete plan for the removal of Swami Vivekananda's statue also draws criticism.
While the previous order instructed the authorities to remove Swami Vivekananda's statue, the affidavit falls short in outlining a definite course of action. Instead, it suggests a comprehensive study with the assistance of the Central Water and Power Research Station in Pune to assess the feasibility of relocating the statue after completing the strengthening work.
The next hearing is scheduled for March 13, and residents express dissatisfaction, deeming the affidavit insufficient in line with the High Court's directives. The lack of substantial measures and the perception of an eyewash add to concerns about the effectiveness of the ongoing lake fortification project.
-t-thumb.jpeg)
-t-thumb.jpeg)
