Koradi Lake revival likely soon as Pankaja seeks detailed plan

Nagpur: Maharashtra environment minister Pankaja Munde directed officials to urgently prepare and implement a restoration and pollution-control plan for the heavily contaminated Koradi lake in Nagpur district after revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule raised concerns over worsening environmental and public health conditions around the water body.During a meeting held at Mantralaya on Tuesday, Munde instructed the environment department to submit a detailed presentation within eight days on measures required for the lake's cleaning and long-term rejuvenation. The meeting was attended by Bawankule, Ramtek MP Shyamkumar Barve and senior environment department officials.Spread across nearly 550 acres, the lake has been facing severe pollution due to untreated sewage flowing directly from four nearby municipal councils and several surrounding villages. Bawankule informed the meeting that although seven sewage treatment plants (STPs) were earlier established to prevent pollution, much of the infrastructure became outdated and ineffective, allowing contaminated water to continue entering the lake.Seeking immediate intervention, he urged the govt to adopt a permanent solution to stop sewage discharge into the lake.Responding to the concerns, Munde said the state govt would prioritise both environmental restoration and public health protection. She assured that long-term measures would be implemented to prevent polluted water from entering the lake in future."After the presentation is submitted, a final decision will be taken immediately and the action plan will be implemented on the ground," Munde said.As per the authorities, the proposed revival plan is expected to involve modernisation of sewage treatment infrastructure, coordination with local civic bodies and environmental monitoring mechanisms.