HC notice to VIDC, collector, NMC chief over Ambazari lake

The Maharashtra Water Resources Authority (MWRA) has filed a PIL in this regard and the HC has directed all the parties to file a reply in an affidavit before November 23.

Lokmat Times had published a report that the 150 year old Ambazari lake has developed cracks on the protection wall and the earthen embankments have been damaged. Taking cognizance of the newspaper report, MWRA''s Vinod Tiwari, Dr S T Sangole had filed a PIL. Ambazari lake, which is spread across 200 hectares is pride of Nagpur. The dam''s length is around 930 meters and spillway is 140 meters, with a height of 11 meters. The lake has a catchment area of 14 kilometers and is generally full through out the year. The safety wall and earthen embankment of the spillway has developed cracks, which were inspected by the NMC officials and mayor after the Lokmat Times report. The build quality of the lake has deteriorated over the time and the wall and earthen embankments have developed cracks and water is leaking out of it. If the wall breaks, major areas of West Nagpur would be under water and hence there is an urgent need to repair the construction. Thousands of people visit Ambazari every month and it is one of the major tourist attraction of the city. The memorial of Swami Vivekanand at the lake has already enhanced the beauty of the place and the entire place can be a major tourist attraction, if developed properly.