No takers yet to maintain choked Vithalwadi lake

KALYAN: While the Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Corporation’s (KDMC)tenderstoappointacontractor to clean Vithalwadi lake have found no takers, residents are irked by the stench from the lakeandmosquitomenaceinthe area.

The KDMC in August had planned to provide ₹27 lakh to a contractor to maintain the lake for three years.

“Wehadfinalisedacontractor in August but the general body raised objection against the contractor. Thus, the work was stalled and we had to refloat the tenders.However,therehasbeen no response. We are waiting for anyonewhoiseagertotakeupthe maintenanceand beautification of the lake,” said Govind Bodke, commissioner, KDMC.

He admitted that the lake has turned into a dump yard as residents constantly throw waste into the water body.

Most of them get heaps of garbageinsmall vehicles anddump theminthelake.KDMChasbeen spendingmoneyeveryyearforits cleanliness and beautification but there is no regular maintenance.

VasantBhongade,wardofficer ofKDMC,said,“Thereisanullah next to the lake that flows into Ulhas river. Often, filth on the banks of Ulhas river chokes the nullahandthesewageinthenullah seeps into the lake. Even as the lake is cleaned every year, overflowingofBarvidamandthe floods lead to increased garbage in the lake.”

VrushaliMhatre,53,aresident of Rajesh Apartment in Vithalwadi, said, “Every evening, the stenchincreasesandreachesour homes.Wehavetokeepourwindows shut to avoid mosquitoes. Weareafraidthatthismayleadto many health problems.”

Thelakeoncehadapathway,a fountain with lighting and clean water. Within a few months, the fountain became defunct. “People use the lake like a garbage ground.Thelake’sbeautyislost,” Umar Khan, 44, an auto driver who often visits the area.

Vithalwadi lake looks like a dumping yard. It was cleaned and beautified in 2017 but it’s back to square one. RISHIKESH CHOUDHARY/HT