Shivraj overflows city lakes with plans, promises
Taking a strict stand on encroachments in catchment area of Upper Lake, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said officer who grant building permission in this area would be punished.
Taking a strict stand on encroachments in catchment area of Upper Lake, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said officer who grant building permission in this area would be punished.
The concerning officer would be held responsible for encroachments in this area, said Chouhan on Friday.
Chouhan was reviewing works being carried out for lakes’ conservation and development here. Urban administration minister Babulal Gaur, mayor Krishna Gaur and chief secretary R Parasuram were present on the occasion. At the meeting, CM also directed to take a concrete initiative to ensure conservation of all the urban and rural area reservoirs in entire state.
Referring to aerial survey made by him recently, Chouhan said that flow of water in Kolans and Uljhawan rivers has reduced. He said a short-term action plan should be chalked out and implemented soon for deepening of these rivers, motivating farmers in the area to grow organic crops, treatment of sewer etc. “Work of deepening of rivers should be completed before the next monsoon. Following this, a long-term action plan should be chalked out for beautification of the lake as per master plan, construction of viewpoints, development of new tourist attractions, construction of approach roads up to must-see places etc,” he said.
Babulal Gaur put forth suggestions about stopping sewer water from falling in the lake and constant cleaning. Bhopal divisional commissioner Praveen Garg informed that as a result of adequate rainfall, Bhojtal of Bhopal had filled upto the brim. “Minarets have been installed at the places where water level has reached this year. Videography has also been carried out,” he said.
Principal secretary urban administration SPS Parihar gave a presentation about efforts being made to conserve and develop Bhopal’s lakes. It was informed that there are 18 lakes including the Upper and lower lakes in and around Bhopal. Of these, 13 lakes are within the Municipal Corporation limits.
SEPT University City Planner Abhijit Sabu informed the meeting that he has started this work since June this year. He informed that survey of the Upper Lake will be carried out as per about 14,000 points following which an action plan for the lake’s beautification will be chalked out. Upper Lake’s catchment area is 361 sq km, where 88 villages are situated. Its 66% area is in Bhopal and 33% of Sehore district.