Indore's 100-year-old Bijalpur lake now a dumping yard

The 100-year old Bijalpur lake constructed by Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar was once a source of fresh water for nearby villages and irrigation of fields, but it now lies in utter neglect and has become a breeding ground for criminal activities.

The 100-year old Bijalpur lake constructed by Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar was once a source of fresh water for nearby villages and irrigation of fields, but it now lies in utter neglect and has become a breeding ground for criminal activities.

The-Bijalpur-lake-in-Indore-lacks-fencing-making-it-an-easy-dumping-ground-for-local-and-a-hub-for-anti-social-activities-HT-photo

The issue was put before a special Jan Upayogi Lok Adalat in Indore on Saturday by advocates Lokesh Bhargava and Praveen Yogi, seeking the court’s intervention in safeguarding the heritage and restoring the water body to its former glory.

Taking cognizance of the issue, special judge BK Paloda issued notices to the district collector and the municipal commissioner asking why the administration has not taken steps for the conservation of the lake.

Talking to HT, advocate Yogi said, “This is the result of negligence by the district administration and the municipal corporation. If the present scenario continues, the lake would vanish in a couple of years.”

As the complainants pointed out, proper fencing at the site could help make the area a lot safer and cleaner. “Every year, deaths of at least five to six children are reported from the lake, even then the district administration or the municipal corporation is not taking any action to prevent such incidents. Proper fencing and tightening security at the lake will curb such events from taking place,” said advocate Bhargava.

The lake also requires de-silting, said Bhargava, as the lake overflows and floods nearby colonies during rains. In 2008, New Durga Nagar Colony was inundated by knee-deep water.