Concerns over the alleged neglect of Wadachiwadi Lake in Pune have intensified, with Ward No. 41 corporator Nivrutti Anna Bandal calling on the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to begin urgent restoration and establish a long-term conservation plan for the water body.
Bandal has sought urgent desilting of the lake and special funds for its restoration. He has also urged relevant state and national government authorities to intervene and support conservation efforts, according to a report by Punekar News.
The demand comes as residents raise concerns about the condition and maintenance of the local lake. Resident Archana Dube said Wadachiwadi Lake was important to the locality and should not be ignored. She called for timely action to clean and restore it so that it could be preserved for the community and future generations.
Another resident, Sangamitra, said conservation should not be restricted to occasional cleaning drives. She called for regular monitoring, proper maintenance and measures to prevent pollution, while asking the authorities to take responsibility for protecting the lake over the long term.
Bandal has also questioned the monitoring of private contractors responsible for cleaning and maintenance work. He said that outsourcing these activities does not remove the PMC’s responsibility for safeguarding public assets. His demands include effective pollution-control measures, regular inspections of maintenance work and a time-bound conservation plan with measurable progress.
The issue places the upkeep of Wadachiwadi Lake within the wider challenge of protecting urban water bodies as Pune and its surrounding areas face growing water-security concerns. The report does not provide details of the lake’s current water capacity, the extent of silt accumulation, pollution levels, previous restoration expenditure or the identity of the contractors responsible for maintenance.
Residents and local representatives have urged the civic administration to prioritise restoration and coordinate with relevant government agencies. The immediate demands are for desilting, pollution control, regular maintenance and clearer accountability for work carried out at the lake.
The next steps sought by the corporator are the allocation of special restoration funds, inspections of maintenance work and preparation of a time-bound conservation plan by the PMC and other concerned authorities.
