Call it the lack of adequate designated facilities to dump construction debris, the lakes of Ahmedabad have become the best dumping ground for many.
Many of the lakes are getting choked with such waste material, pointing to grave ecological damage.
Presently, there are 25 designated plots, where contractors and even construction companies resort to dumping. But despite these facilities, illegal dumping continues in lakes of Gota, Chandkheda, and Memnagar, which are now bearing the brunt.
The situation in Dev City lake is particularly dire, with illegal dumping leading to a reduction in the lake’s capacity. This forced the AMC to build a costly compound wall around it.
Adding to the troubles, Ahmedabad’s lake storm water drainage system lies in a shambles. Only 23 of the city’s 122 lakes are connected by storm water lines, leaving others vulnerable to flooding and pollution. The recent dumping of waste in Dev City lake, despite previous dredging efforts, highlights the inadequacy of the current system.
The AMC’s attempts to address the issue, however, raise further questions. Recent tenders to clean 47 lakes, including Vastrapur and Gota, are at odds with the ongoing dumping in these lakes. The Rs 4 crore spent on cleaning 37 lakes in the past two years also appears futile if they still remain choked with debris.
The AMC’s health department had issued a tender on January 16, for clearing 47 lakes across the city of weed, garbage, and dead animals or fish in the water. The lakes are in various zones of the city – one in the central zone, nine in east zone, 11 in north west zone, three in north, 10 in south west zone, 11 in south zone, and two in the west zone.
Some of the lakes that AMC plans to clean are Vastrapur Lake, Ghuma Village Lake, Gota Lake, RC Technical Lake, Chandlodia Lake, Sola Lake, Ugati Lake, Thaltej Lake, Pancha Lake, Ropada Lake, Malav Lake, Chainpur Lake in the west zone. However, these lakes are also facing the problem of waste and demolition dumping.
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