Algae on Futala fountain system: Plan in place to approach Neeri, change wiring

Nagpur: As algae chokes the ambitious Futala musical fountain project, it has been planned to refer the issue to National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (Neeri), apart from trying other methods to deal with the problem.
Even as the fountain is ready, algae in the water body has engulfed the wirings and other equipment placed under water. This leads to frequent interruptions bringing the entire mechanism to a halt.

Sources say the algae formation is due to presence of impurities in the lake water due to mixing of sewage discharged from nearby residential areas. Entire set up fixed under water has given a place for the algae to get deposited.
The issues were discussed in a meeting held between the private contractor implementing the project — M/s Khalatkar Construction — and the Nagpur Metropolitan Region Development Authority (NMRDA), which is building the fountain. Other options like using chlorine and setting up of a water treatment plant are also being considered. The Neeri would be approached to find out a solution, said a source.
The contractor has also been asked to expedite the work, which the firm has assured to finish at the earliest. Earlier, the NMRDA had issued a notice to the contractor for the delay in handing over of the Futala project.
The contractor has also been instructed to change the wirings that have been damaged due to algae and infestation of insects. The firm has been asked that in order to leave no chance for the show to be interrupted, the wirings need to be changed. The power supply is getting tripped due to infestation hampering the show, said a source.