Pune, 17th June 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has been instructed to urgently prepare a comprehensive master plan for the proposed ‘Lake City’ project covering Jambhulwadi, Pashan and Katraj lakes.
The initiative aims to strengthen lake conservation, protect biodiversity and improve public amenities around the city’s key water bodies.
The directions were issued by Standing Committee Chairman Shrinath Bhimale during a review meeting on the condition of the three lakes. Officials highlighted several environmental concerns, including increasing pollution, sewage inflow, the spread of water hyacinth, fish deaths and inadequate maintenance, all of which are affecting the ecological health of the lakes.
Bhimale directed the administration to prepare an official master plan for the Lake City project and submit a detailed report on funding requirements, public-private partnership (PPP) options, environmental impact assessments and financial provisions for biodiversity conservation.
He also instructed officials to speed up the administrative and government-level procedures required to transfer Jambhulwadi Lake from the Water Conservation Department to PMC, enabling better management and development of the water body.
The administration has been asked to submit water sample reports and laboratory findings related to recent incidents of large-scale fish deaths in Katraj Lake. Officials were also directed to intensify efforts to tackle pollution in Pashan Lake, where sewage discharge, waste dumping and the growth of water hyacinth continue to pose serious challenges.
In addition, the civic administration has been asked to provide details of expenditure incurred on water hyacinth removal, desilting works and measures taken to prevent sewage from entering the lakes. A final report from the Environment Department on the fish mortality incidents has also been sought.
The proposed Lake City project is expected to focus on long-term conservation, ecological restoration and sustainable public use of city’s major lakes while ensuring environmental safeguards remain a priority.
