Futala Lake: Sewage Chokes Iconic Water Body

Futala Lake, a prominent city landmark, is currently facing significant environmental challenges due to continuous inflow of untreated sewage and accumulated waste along its banks. The issue is under review by the western zone bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), prompted by a TOI report detailing the lake's deteriorating condition. Efforts are in motion to restore the lake's musical fountain, with replacement cables anticipated shortly and a French technical team expected to oversee the installation as part of MahaMetro's revitalization plan.

The primary source of the sewage discharge identified by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) in its affidavit to the NGT is Kashmiri Vasti, an older settlement with an aging and compromised underground sewer pipeline network. The NMC has proposed laying a new diversion pipeline, estimated at Rs23.6 lakh, to curb further contamination. The tendering process for this project is in progress, though its completion is expected to require considerable time. Despite regular cleaning drives along the lake's periphery, visible waste and murky water persist, drawing concern from local residents and environmental observers. Earlier, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) had declared the lake water unsuitable even for bathing, underscoring the critical state of its ecological health.