Saving the Upper Lake

NK SINGH

Babulal Gaur has emerged as a passionate saviour of his beloved Bhopal’s Upper Lake. The Urban Administration and Development Minister has declared in unambiguous terms that he was against any kind of construction on the periphery of the Lake.

The draft Development Plan for Bhopal, released recently, has proposed constructions in several areas around the Lake. Under the plan green belt and no-construction zones have been replaced not only by low-density habitation but also full-fledged residential areas and commercial zones.

Gaur is among the few ministers who feel the pulse of Bhopal. He has also threatened to roll on his famous bulldozer to remove all encroachments around the Lake.

Apparently, he could sense the indignation of the citizens, whom he had invited earlier this week to discuss the status of the lakes in the city.

It was not only the citizens who were alarmed about constructions around the lakes. Even the official presentation made by the Urban Development Department at the meeting underlined the Government’s concern on the subject.

Raghav Chandra, Principal Secretary of the department, made a beautiful presentation at that meeting. It included some photographs of the two lakes.

The photographers capture in vivid details the plight of the water bodies; how construction has killed the Lower Lake and how it is threatening to do the same to the Upper Lake now.

We bring to you today, on the last page of Live Bhopal, these photographs. 

Published in Hindustan Times of  11^th September, 2009

nksexpress@gmail.com
Tweets @nksexpress