Sanjay Nirupam proposes revival Mumbai lakes to reduce water crisis

Published: Monday, Jan 11, 2010, 21:49 IST 
Place: Mumbai | Agency: PTI

Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam along with a city-based NGO today proposed a plan to revive six lakes as a measure to resolve water crisis in the city.

Raichel Joseph Foundation along with Nirupam today met additional municipal commissioner Manisha Mhaiskar with a plan to revive six lakes in the western suburbs as a pilot project.

"We will be taking up six lakes and reviving them in a way that water from those lakes can be utilised by the surrounding areas. 
Also, a method should be devised to connect rainwater harvesting systems from surrounding areas to the lake, so that fresh water enters the lake," Nirupam said.

The six lakes in western suburbs for revival to supply non-potable water include Pancharangi bhujal Talav (Malad), Lotus lake (Malad), Malad Marve Road Lake (Malad), Charkop Talav (Kandivali), Eksar Lake (Borivali) and Gaothan Talav, Madh Gaon.

"Compared to any other constituency in Mumbai, north-west constituency has maximum number (around 20) of lakes and ponds. Many of which are used for immersion of Lord Ganesh and due to negligence lakes are in bad condition," Sherley Singh, a Juhu based activist said.

"We are open for this type of idea as the plan looks interesting. We will consider it. We will first have to establish a lake re-development policy and consider the logistics that will be required by the civic body to draw the lake water and supply it to the consumers," said Mhaiskar.

There has been encroachment around the lakes, debris dumping activity in lakes has increased and due to all this health of all those living in and around the waterway, is considerably affected, Singh said.

Revival of each lake is likely to cost about Rs2 to 4 crore. We plan to get some corporate NGOs on board and get their funds and expertise to revive the lake, she said.

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_sanjay-nirupam-proposes-revival-mumbai-lakes-to-reduce-water-crisis_1333657