Govt asks NMC to begin Gandhisagar rejuvenation from April

NAGPUR: State government has directed the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), which is sitting idle on Gandhisagar rejuvenation project for five years, to ensure works begin from April 1. Unfortunately, NMC’s apathy towards approved projects has continued following which the government did not release funds of Sonegaon and Pandhrabodi lakes.
The state’s co-ordination committee for State Lakes Conservation Plan (SLCP) reviewed the rejuvenation projects approved in the state on February 5.Environment department’s principal secretary Ajoy Mehta presided over the meeting while officials from various departments were present. NMC was represented by incharge for rivers and lakes Mohammed Israil.
NMC has received the minutes of the meeting a couple of days ago. The committee has pointed out that the NMC spent only Rs 11.35 lakh or 6.35% of total approved cost of Rs 1.78 crore on Gandhisagar rejuvenation project. The project was sanctioned on March 15, 2010, and supposed to be completed by March 15, 2012.
The government had Rs 75 lakh immediately after approving the project. Therefore, there was no issue of funds crunch for the project. Israil told TOI, project got delayed over various issues. “Government had directed the NMC to execute four works—construction of idol immersion tank within the lake, installation of bins around the lake, construction of public toilets on all four sides of the lake and chemical treatment of the lake’s water. Tenders of idol immersion tank were floated for three times but received no response. Tenders were again floated to select the contractor. We will complete process and begin work from April 1. Process is underway to rope in Sulabh International for construction of public toilets,” he said.
Apart from Gandhisagar rejuvenation work, the government had approved Sonegaon lake rejuvenation project on March 15, 2010, and Pandhrabodi lake rejuvenation project on January 2, 2013. NMC was supposed to get funds for Sonegaon and Pandhrabodi lakes. “Civic body is yet to submit the report of Project Implementation Committee. Besides, the civic body did not submit point-wise details of the project. It has assured to submit all details by February 27. Submission will be made before finance and planning department for release of funds after receiving the reports,” the committee said.
The committee also directed the NMC to frame a time-bound programme to complete the Sonegaon rejuvenation. NMC has spent Rs 3.86 crore on it as against approved cost of Rs 3.24 crore. NMC was supposed to complete Pandhrabodi lake project by January 2, 2013. It has spent Rs 1.78 crore out of approved cost of Rs 3.33 crore. The committee has directed the NMC to complete the remaining works in eight months.
Status Of Other Rejuvenation Projects
* Hanuman Talao, Katol, Nagpur district: Approved on March 7, 2007, at a cost of Rs 2.13 crore. Project completed
* Hanuman lake, Katol, Nagpur district: Approved on March 7, 2007, at Rs 3.24 crore. Project completed
* Malgujari Talao, Rajura, Chandrapur district: Approved on March 11, 2013, at Rs 7.80 crore. 23% completed
* Gandhisagar lake, Warora, Chandrapur district: Approved on March 13, 2013, at Rs 3.61 crore. 17.50% completed
* Kot lake, Brahmapuri, Chandrapur district: Approved on March 9, 2012, at Rs 4.47 crore. 12.14% completed