Pune: In a major step towards environmental conservation, four lakes in Pune—Katraj, Peshwe, Pashan, and Lakaki Lake—are set to undergo beautification under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has secured a ₹2 crore grant from the Central Government for this initiative.
Despite Pune’s rich natural resources, increasing urbanization has negatively impacted its water bodies. Unchecked pollution, construction, and population growth have led to deteriorating lake conditions. Contaminated sewage water has caused severe pollution, leading to foul odors and the excessive growth of water hyacinths, costing PMC nearly ₹1 crore annually for removal.
To tackle this, PMC has been working on installing underground sewage pipelines, but the work remains incomplete. Seeking a sustainable solution, the civic body proposed a beautification project under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, which secured approval for funding.
Beautification Plan
The project aims to enhance the lakes by implementing the following improvements:
Fountains: Installation of water fountains to enhance the aesthetic appeal.
Lighting: Attractive illumination around the lakes.
Seating Areas: Wooden benches for visitors.
Wall Painting: Freshly painted walls surrounding the lakes.
Pedestrian Walkways: Dedicated walkways for citizens along the lakes.
Boundary Walls: Construction of perimeter walls for security.
Waste Management: Ensuring a garbage-free zone with strict action against littering.
The Solid Waste Management Department has finalized tenders for the project:
Pashan Lake: ₹41.88 lakh
Katraj Lake: ₹41.88 lakh
Lakaki Lake: ₹49.42 lakh
Peshwe Lake: ₹49 lakh
These proposals received approval from PMC’s standing committee and will be implemented in phases.
To maintain cleanliness and prevent further pollution, PMC has planned additional measures:
Ongoing sewage treatment to prevent contamination.
A dedicated sewage treatment project to process 2 million liters of wastewater daily.
Approval for lake cleaning under the AMRUT scheme (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation).
Implementation of the 2017 Katraj Lake conservation plan to stop sewage inflow.