Pune: PMC Takes Action to Restore Katraj Lake’s Glory; Desilting And Sewage Treatment Underway
Katraj, 4th December 2024: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has initiated the process of revamping the lake within the premises of the Late Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Museum in Katraj. As part of the urban flood management system, the lake’s depth will be increased, and accumulated silt will be removed with the assistance of the Irrigation Department.
The lake’s water was recently released into the Mutha River via Ambil Odha to facilitate the desilting process. This lake, filled to capacity in 2019, had caused flooding in Ambil Odha during periods of heavy rainfall due to excess water discharge. Moreover, untreated sewage from surrounding areas has led to an overgrowth of aquatic plants, disrupting the lake’s biodiversity.
To address these issues, PMC is constructing a two-million-liters-per-day (MLD) sewage treatment plant to curb the flow of sewage into the lake. Once operational, this plant will prevent contamination, helping restore the lake’s ecological balance.
Desilting will also improve the lake’s water storage capacity, especially during monsoon, reducing the risk of urban flooding. The project aims to revive the lake’s original biodiversity and restore its former natural beauty while improving its role in urban water management.
