Lake’s central stretch cleared after months of work, but fresh growth has emerged along the banks; NMC plans to buy a specialised sludge-removal machine worth Rs 5 crore and expects Wadi STP to address sewage inflow
Nagpur, October 31: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has adopted a dual strategy to prevent the return of invasive water hyacinth (Eichhornia) in Ambazari Lake. After months of intensive efforts to clear the lake’s surface, the central portion is now largely free of the weed. However, fresh growth has appeared along the shallow banks, prompting the civic body to step up mechanical cleaning and continuous monitoring.
The new growth is reportedly emerging from dormant seeds buried in the sludge at the bottom of the lake. To tackle the problem, NMC is using aquatic harvesters in the water and JCB and Poclain machines along the banks, particularly in areas inaccessible to boats and heavy cleaning equipment.
Central Portion Clear, Fresh Growth Along Banks
Deputy Municipal Commissioner Rajesh Bhagat said that although the central portion of the lake is currently clear, seeds buried in the lakebed can germinate over time.
The newly emerging plants along the shallow edges are still small. However, deploying heavy aquatic harvesters in these areas is difficult due to the shallow water and muddy terrain.
NMC has therefore deployed different machines depending on the conditions at each location. Aquatic harvesters are being used in accessible water sections, while JCBs and Poclains are handling areas where boats and harvesters cannot reach.
Year-Round Monitoring Planned
Bhagat said removing the existing water hyacinth would not be enough to prevent its recurrence. Continuous monitoring and mechanical removal throughout the year would be necessary.
The civic body plans to remove new growth as soon as it appears to prevent the weed from spreading across the lake again.
Wadi STP Seen as Key to Long-Term Solution
Civic officials believe that mechanical cleaning alone cannot provide a permanent solution unless the inflow of untreated sewage into Ambazari Lake is stopped.
Additional Municipal Commissioner Ankit said NMC is currently removing fresh growth manually and mechanically. However, the long-term solution depends on the commissioning of the Wadi Sewage Treatment Plant (STP).
Once operational, the plant is expected to prevent untreated domestic sewage from entering the lake. This would reduce the supply of organic nutrients that encourage excessive water hyacinth growth.
Four Workers Engaged in Daily Manual Cleaning
Corporator Yogesh Pachpore said continuous monitoring is being carried out to prevent the weed from spreading again.
Four workers are reportedly engaged in manually removing fresh water hyacinth growth along the lake’s banks every day, alongside the ongoing mechanical cleaning operations.
Rs 5 Crore Machine Planned for Sludge Removal
In another step towards long-term lake restoration, NMC has made a provision of Rs 5 crore in the Standing Committee for purchasing a specialised machine to remove sludge from the lake.
The trial run of the Wadi STP is also nearing completion. Once the plant becomes operational, NMC aims to establish a sustained monitoring and maintenance system to keep Ambazari Lake clean and prevent the recurrence of water hyacinth.
