Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has written to the state govt seeking deletion of the Rs14.13-crore Lendi Talao rejuvenation project from the Amrut 2.0 scheme, citing its inability to execute the work due to large-scale encroachments around the historic waterbody.The move comes despite funds having been sanctioned for the project and highlights the challenges that have plagued efforts to revive one of Central Nagpur’s largest lakes. Civic officials said the project has remained at a standstill, with physical progress pegged at zero, forcing the administration to seek its removal from the centrally sponsored scheme.According to officials, around 184 notices have been served to residents who have allegedly encroached upon portions of the lake and its catchment area. Until these encroachments are removed, the civic body is unable to gain access for dewatering, desilting, and other restoration activities.Officials said nearly 40 to 42 houses discharge sewage directly into the lake, making rejuvenation efforts even more difficult. Preliminary attempts to dewater the lake were abandoned after authorities found that sewage and water inflows exceeded the capacity of the pumps deployed at the site. The contractor engaged for the project also reportedly expressed reservations over the feasibility of executing the work under the prevailing conditions.Sources said NMC planned to undertake restoration on the lines of Naik Talao, where successful rejuvenation transformed the waterbody and surrounding area. However, the lack of site access and continued encroachments prevented the civic body from moving beyond the planning stage.The lake’s shrinking footprint has long been a matter of concern. After NMC sought possession of the waterbody for rejuvenation, the district administration handed over the entire 28.5-acre lake area to the civic body in June 2018, with instructions that the land should not be divided, leased or used for any other purpose.However, a 2019 report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) found that 67,490 sq m, or nearly 16.67 acres, of the lake area was encroached upon. The finding suggested that the waterbody had effectively shrunk to just 11.83 acres. During a discussion in the NMC general body in Oct 2021, the administration informed elected representatives that the existing water spread was around 12 acres.Ironically, while the original lake spans 28.5 acres, the rejuvenation proposal approved under AMRUT covered only 6.42 acres, barely 23% of the total area. The sanctioned project itself drew criticism from environmentalists and lake conservation activists, who warned that the city risked permanently losing a waterbody equivalent to nearly 17 football fields.Officials clarified that the proposal sent to the govt seeks deletion of the project from Amrut 2.0 and not abandonment of the lake revival plan altogether. They said restoration can be reconsidered once encroachments are cleared and the administration secures unhindered access to the site.For now, however, Lendi Talao remains a stark example of how encroachments and administrative hurdles can derail urban lake conservation efforts even after funding has been secured.Lendi Talao Rejuvenation ProjectProject Cost: Rs14.13 crore Scheme: AMRUT 2.0 Location: Central NagpurTotal Lake Area: 28.5 acres Existing Water Spread: ~12 acres Encroached Area: 67,490 sq m (16.67 acres)Project Coverage Approved: 6.42 acres (~23%)Project Status: Proposed for deletion from AMRUT 2.0 Reason: Extensive encroachments, lack of site accessEncroachments: 184 notices served 40-42 houses discharging sewage into lake Physical Progress: 0%Key Issues: Large-scale encroachments on lake and catchment Continuous sewage inflow Dewatering attempts failed Contractor flagged feasibility concerns Land Handover: June 2018 (with no-diversion condition)
