The Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) is again gearing up for getting the tender procurement process complete for the beautification and restoration work of Ranchi lake. This is the fourth time when the civic body had invited the tender from different bidders for carrying out the beautification work of one of the major spot located in heart of the city.
Recently, RMC has rolled out a proposal of worth Rs 3.35 crore to beautify the existing water bodies to add on to the beauty of city and maintain the water reservoirs. Measures like fencing, making pathways, planting saplings and decking up lights are some of the salient features that will be covered up under the restoration plan.
“We are facing problems in getting the work complete as no bidder has turned up yet to take ‘Bada Talab’ project. The restoration work will be carried out in three different phases. At initial stage, approximately Rs 15-25 crore will be required. Some additional Rs 50 crore will be spent in the third stage that will be covered under PPP mode. As of now, the beautification work of Ranchi lake can be initiated only from the month of June-July,” said, Deputy Mayor, Sanjiv Vijayawargia.
Approximately, 10 major water bodies within municipal periphery will be restored under the beautification task in State Capital. Madhukam Pond, Jhora Talab, Hatma, pond near RIMS are few major water reservoirs that will covered up under the beautification project. Amid protest from city residents and ward councilors, the civic body officials are obstinate and have claimed to complete the beautification task of few ponds by April 2017.
“We cannot stop the beautification work as this is the right period. It is difficult to carry out work in monsoon season. We have purchased 40 tankers, 20 small vehicles this year to meet the demand of water supply. Through tankers water will be supplied at places where there is acute shortage of water. Pumping out water from ponds will not affect the water supply in any case,” added Vijayawargia.
Notably, several ward councilors including the city residents have raised questions on the measures that is being adopted by RMC to ensure beautification, restoration of ponds as several litres of water is being recklessly pumped out from water reservoirs without adopting any alternative steps. Few people have claimed that drying up the ponds in the name of pond beautification could create severe water shortage in summer season.