Bandra Talao rejuvenation work to resume after monsoon

Replenished with rainwater, the Bandra Talao wears a relatively pristine look after being dewatered and desilted. PICS/MADHULIKA RAM KAVATTUR

The rejuvenation of Bandra Talao has been put on pause for the monsoon season, but Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials said that from October 1, the first phase of the project, which began nine months ago, will resume, and under it, a treatment plant will be set up to purify and aerate the water.

The work was started after Bandra West residents flagged the 200-year-old lake's crumbling infrastructure, especially the broken pavement and fence surrounding the artificial water body. In May, locals noted the first big change, as the talao was dewatered by the civic body to remove sludge and sediment from its bottom.

The lake's surroundings, however, are still in a dismal condition

While the lake is now filled to the brim with fresh rainwater, bringing to mind its glory days to residents, the state of its surrounding areas, where many come to sit, is yet to be addressed. Asked about this, Dinesh Pallewad, the assistant commissioner of H West ward, said, "Two or three months after the first phase ends, the second one, entailing the beautification process, will begin."

Pigeon menace

Apart from broken tiles, pigeons have been seen making a mess at the spot owing to the feeding of birds. "We have been tackling the pigeon issue for a long time. We have registered multiple FIRs against those who feeders, but as it was not in a great condition, not a lot could be done. But now, we are planning to have proper measures to make sure that the issue is contained once the rejuvenation work is completed."

Beautification process

Pallewad said, "The design work is being done due to the limited space with which we have to work, we are looking to keep it simple. We will redo the promenade's tiles, reinstall the fence around the talao, and beautify the spot with plants and trees. We are considering a proposal to look into laser lighting."

Other issues

Pallewad expressed hope that the water treatment plant that will be installed in the lake will take care of seepage. He added, "The main limitation at the talao is space, but we will surely look into some ideas in that regard."

Contractor speak

Rohit Patankar, engineer associated with the project
‘Dewatering and desilting work has been completed successfully at the site, and after that, as the monsoons picked up, we stopped work, as per our contract. Since then, the lake has gotten filled by fresh rainwater, and it is in good condition. Other work may start after the rainy season, as per tender conditions. The tender for the beautification and promenade revamp has not been issued'

Locals speak

Asif Zakaria, Congress leader who resides in Bandra
‘After the dewatering happened, the BMC has claimed to have removed 10,000 tonnes of silt from the bottom of the talao. I learnt that seepage from good and bad water sources is occurring at the bottom of the lake, but both have not been pinpointed. Now that rainwater has filled up in the talao, we have to see how the BMC maintains the water. I am afraid of how the maintenance of the talao will be done once the contractor goes out of the picture in a few years. If nefarious activities alleged to take place at the spot are not curbed, the rejuvenation will be a waste. The BMC should introduce some public activities so that those with bad intentions move out of the space soon.'