Rs 5 crore clean-up project for Powai lake

Along with the beautification project of Powai lake, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has also decided to improve its water quality and remove hyacinths from it. It has decided to appoint M/s Frischmann Prabhu India as a consultant at the cost of nearly Rs 5 crore.

Local residents have alleged that Powai lake, one of the major tourist attractions of the city, is gradually losing its beauty as various factors like rapid growth of water hyacinth, dumping of debris and garbage, degradation of water quality is having adverse effects on the bio-diversity of its flora and fauna.

The lake has also been deteriorating due to rapid growth of constructions around the lake.

In addition to this, the untreated disposal of sewage and garbage from nearby residential and slum colonies have affected the water quality.

Powai lake has a catchment area of about 220 hectares. However, due to these various adverse factors, the area has been reduced by more than 40 per cent, said civic officials.

The Powai lake project will be done in a phase-wise manner.

In the first phase, the consultant will undertake short-term measures, whereas second phase will consist of carrying out the long-term measures.

The short-term measures include development of a landscape, parking lot, garden, pavements, LED illumination and sanitation facilities, improvement of oxygen levels in water to enhance the water quality and aqua life, removal of water hyacinths, to set up a temporary sewage treatment centre and to determine the effects of environment changes on Powai lake.

The long-term measures comprise the development of a system to stop the flow of sewage water, a permanent sewage treatment system for the recycling of sewage water, installation of musical fountain and improvement of laser show facilities, development of an island in the lake by using the silt removed from the lake, preparation of a feasibility report for the development of a garden for crocodiles, birds, butterflies and the improvement of water quality.

“Several new technologies will be used to map the lake, study the sediments found in the lake and effective methods to remove it. Currently there are several drain lines that are leaking and the sewage water is getting mixed in the water,” said a senior civic official from the hydraulic department.

Powai lake was created in 1891 by constructing a dam between two hillocks across Mithi River. The lake water is used for non-potable purposes (gardening and industrial use).