The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has significantly increased its efforts to remove water hyacinth from Ambazari Lake by deploying additional machinery and planning to acquire a floating weed remover machine worth 1.5 crore rupees. This initiative aims to curb the spread of the invasive plant before the onset of the monsoon season.
Current Machinery and Progress
The machinery currently deployed includes four Poclain machines, one JCB, and three tippers. During an inspection on Thursday, Mayor Neeta Thakre instructed officials to expedite the clean-up drive and deploy more machinery to prevent further pollution in the historic lake. Thakre, along with Deputy Mayor Leela Hathibed, Standing Committee Chairperson Shivani Dani-Wakhare, and Municipal Commissioner Vipin Itankar, reviewed the ongoing efforts. Officials reported that approximately seven to eight acres of the lake have been cleared of water hyacinth, with work on the remaining areas advancing quickly.
Increased Machinery and Disposal Plans
Commissioner Itankar ordered an increase in the number of Poclain machines from four to six to speed up the operation. He also instructed that the removed hyacinth be transported and scientifically disposed of at designated sites to prevent secondary pollution. The civic chief added that the NMC plans to purchase a floating weed remover machine valued at 1.5 crore rupees, which is expected to enhance the lake-cleaning process in the future.
Sewage Treatment Plant and Temporary Bund
Officials also mentioned that the sewage treatment plant being developed by Wadi Nagar Parishad is anticipated to be completed this year. Once operational, only treated sewage water will enter the lake, helping reduce contamination and control future hyacinth growth. To prevent polluted water from flowing into the lake, the NMC has constructed a temporary earthen bund near Ambazari.
Inspection and Future Steps
Local corporators Yogesh Pachpor, Vijay Hole, and Varsha Chaudhary, along with senior officials from the public health engineering and solid waste management departments, were present during the inspection. The NMC's comprehensive approach aims to restore the ecological balance of Ambazari Lake and prevent further environmental degradation.
