In a desperate attempt to maintain the island located in the middle of upper Katraj Lake, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has given the work for its beautification to Garware Wall Ropes. The entire work of beautification is expected to be completed in a span of four months and would cost almost Rs 2.12 crore. The initiative to keep the lake clean was launched by corporator Vasant More early this week, who has always taken keen interest in developing and maintaining the lake area.

Garware Wall Ropes’ geo-synthetics division will fortify the island by erecting a gabion retaining wall and by using gabion steel, thus canalizing the flow of two nullahs into the lake.

“Once the erection of gabion wall around the island gets completed, we plan to erect a life-like 20-feet statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on it. We have also planned to plant fruit trees to attract different kinds of birds to fill the air with vibrancy. After the entire lake’s beautification is completed, we will begin boating facilities for citizens. After the process of completion it is sure that the visit to the lake will be a unique experience,” said More.

“The entire process of beautification is part of the overall maintenance of Katraj Lake that is being funded under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. Once the work is complete, a lake garden will also be developed, followed by a jogging track, seating arrangements and a pagoda. It is expected that the entire work will finish by this year-end. The water in the lake has been drained to carry on the beautification process,” said Deputy municipal commissioner Bhanudas Mane.

M P Mone, president of the geo-division in Garware Wall Ropes, said that it is their first infrastructure-related project in Pune city and they are committed to complete the entire beautification process within the given time.

- Siddhartha Laik