Pune civic body brings down water level in Katraj lake for silt removal; work to finish before monsoon

Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation has, part of its pre-monsoon clean-up drive, started removing silt from Katraj lake, near Rajiv Gandhi zoo, after bringing down its water level. To expedite the work, PMC has enlisted the help of irrigation department that has provided machinery and manpower.
The work is expected to be completed by the end of May, before the arrival of the monsoon. The civic administration is also constructing a sewage treatment plant near the lake to prevent the release of untreated water — a major reason for the increase in water hyacinth, causing problems for residents. The plant is likely to be functional by mid-May, officials said.

Residents living near the lake have highlighted deterioration in water quality, mainly because of a lack of cleaning programmes and rampant release of sewage into the lake.
According to an estimate, the lake contains about 1 lakh cubic feet of silt, which will be cleared in phases. A PMC official said, "The lake has not been cleaned up in the last three decades. The silt removal has begun and so far, about 25% of the work is completed. There is also a plan to replace the gates at the lake from where water is released into Ambil Odha during the monsoon."
Funds have been allocated by Centre, under which the civic body is spending money on repairs and development in three lakes — Katraj, Pashan and Jambhulwadi, the official added.
Officials from the zoo said the drop in water level in Katraj lake has not impacted the distribution. "Water is being supplied to animals through tankers. There is also another water source within the zoo from where water for other purposes is being drawn," an official said.
The lake often overflows during monsoon. Water released from it flows into Ambil Odha, which reaches the Mutha river near the Navi Peth area. PMC has also started cleaning the stretches of Odha as part of pre-monsoon works.