In a bid to beautify the city’s landscape and also to generate revenue from tourist recreational sources, the state government will be handing over another 81 lakes in Ahmedabad to the civic body. These state-owned water bodies include some freshwater and some manmade lakes. It may be recalled that earlier, 21 lakes had been entrusted to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. With Wednesday’s handover, the tally now stands at 102.
The decision comes undersigned by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. Of the lakes, 11 are in Ramol, 10 in Vatva, 7 in Vastral, 5 in Narol, 3 in Ranip, 3 in Nikol, 2 each in Bhadaj, Hathijan, Motera, Chandkheda, Lambha, Gota, Memnagar, Lakshmipura and Danilimda
The lakeside avenues will be developed as a promenade with walkways, plantations, children’s play area, senior citizen meeting points, sports equipment, a parking area, paver block and a floating fountain. AMC will also take charge of constructing a boundary wall. Maintaining a minimum water level in the lakes will also be the civic body’s duty.
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The work will be commissioned from grants under the 15th Finance Commission, Amrut Mission grant and Swarnim Jayanti Mukhyamantri Shahari Vikas Yojana grant.
Elaborating further, Bodakdev corporator Devang Dani briefed: “Vastrapur Lake is the most beautiful. Four percolating wells have been placed in the water body to re-purpose the excess water into ground. The project will add aesthetics to the lakes in the city.”
When asked about his views, Danilimda corporator Shahzad Khan Pathan noted: “The AMC has been making a representation for the renovation of the lake since the last 25 years. However, no work has been done so far. The lake will be developed in three phases. In the first phase, only the lake will be developed. In the second phase, 5,500 thousand slums in the vicinity will be re-structured. The last phase will see the promenade facelift. The entire project is pegged at Rs 50 crore.
The venture will be portioned off to bidders through tenders. “For instance, development of the Danilimda lake will entail a cost of Rs 18-Rs 20 crore. The encircling Ayushman Garden will cost another Rs 5.5 crore. A walkway of more than two-and-a-half kilometers has been planned. Added, there are seven crematoriums around. Each development aspect will be open to bidding. Work will take a total of two years,” shared Hitsh Barot, chairman, Standing Committee.
When contacted to share highlights of the Sarkhej lake undertaking, Ashish Patel, Material Committee, informed that an outlay of Rs 16 crore has been passed for the renovation. “For all those displaced due to beautification work, the government will make alternate and legal arrangements,” he assured.
