Vastrapur lake gets Narmada water: AMC

AHMEDABAD: It took a chiding from Union home minister Amit Shah to spur the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation into action. Within a month of Shah reminding authorities that Vastrapur lake’s grandeur had been gutted, the AMC has begun filling up the lake with Narmada water. Chief minister Vijay Rupani is likely to preside over a function within a couple of days to celebrate the lake being filled again with fresh water.
Municipal commissioner Vijay Nehra said that illegal drainage connections that dirtied the lake had been removed. These connections had been joined to stormwater pipelines that emptied into the lake. He said an existing link pipeline has been activated to release Narmada water into the lake. “We have started with Vastrapur lake, but other lakes will get Narmada water soon,” he said.

Vipul Mehta, deputy municipal commissioner in charge of water projects, said: “We will continue to release Narmada water into Vastrapur lake to maintain its level.”
A sewage treatment plant with the capacity to treat 5 lakh litres per day was set up beside Vastrapur lake, but almost 3 lakh litres of water was being used in the gardens.
‘Percolation will be a problem’
Civic body officials said that Vastrapur lake has a high percolation ratio, which causes water level to dip swiftly. After two major spells of rain, the water level of the lake rose by about 5 feet. But the lake became dry within ten days of the rain spells. “We will release water continuously into the lake to maintain the level,” an official said.
“All lakes will soon be filled with Narmada water. Work has begun on a war footing and we have begun with Vastrapur lake. Tender for connecting Narmada canal to other lakes will be floated within a week.” — Vijay Nehra, municipal commissioner.
“The lake was dry for over five years. Boating and other recreational activities had been scrapped. The lake has been filled again now, but I hope it remains like this.” Shailesh Bhavsar, senior citizen.
“I’m happy the lake is being filled up with fresh water again. It will add to the beauty of the area and more people from across the city will visit the lake.” Moksha Sharma, student.