Bhopal:Sunday, January 4, 2009:Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that apart from the Upper Lake of Bhopal, a campaign will also be launched with people’s cooperation to clean and deepen all the water bodies in the state. Launching the Shramdan (voluntary labour) under ‘Apna Sarovar, Apni Dharohar – Bada Tal Sanrakshan Abhiyan’ for cleaning and deepening the Upper Lake here, Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that he will keep taking part in the Shramdan. Every person right from the Chief Minister up to common man will take part in such campaigns. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that apart from augmenting water sources, campaigns for increasing green cover and cleanliness will also be undertaken in the state. The chasm between people and government should end in such campaigns. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that residents of Bhopal will start getting Narmada water from September 25, 2009. Shri Chouhan exhorted the people to conserve water.
Information was given on this occasion that funds have been established at Bhopal Municipal Corporation and Bhopal collectorate for extending monetary contributions for deepening of the Upper Lake.
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan launched the campaign this morning by undertaking Shramdan with the help of spade and pickaxe at the dry bed of the Upper Lake on Van Vihar road side. Large number of public representatives, members of voluntary organisations and people were present on this occasion near Takia island.
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that politics should now focus on creativity, construction and public welfare. The government and society should undertake joint efforts to save every drop of water. The ponds in the villages are also drying up and they must also be saved. Shri Chouhan said that the lake is our important heritage. The massive crowds turning up today with enthusiasm go to show that the residents of Bhopal are committed to save this heritage at any cost. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan also announced to contribute his one month’s salary for lake cleaning campaign.
Shri Chouhan said that the state government will not lag behind in providing funds necessary for such campaigns. No financial impediments will be allowed to come in the way of development.
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that stern action will be taken against those who encroach lands in the catchment area of the Upper Lake.
Urban Administration Minister, Mayor and Chairman of Bhopal Municipal Corporation and other public representatives also announced to contribute one month’s salary for the Upper Lake cleaning campaign. Those present on the occasion include MP of Bhopal Shri Kailash Joshi, MLAs Shri Dhurv Narayan Singh, Shri Vishwas Sarang, Shri Jitendra Daga, chairman of Bhopal Development Authority Shri Surendranath Singh, Shri Ramesh Sharma (Guttu Bhiayya), Shri Rajiv Mohan Gupta, Shri Bharat Patel, Shri Ashok Pandey, Additional Inspector General of Police Shri Surendra Singh, Principal Secretary of Urban Administration Department Shri Raghav Chandra and commissioner of Bhopal Shri Pukhraj Maroo.
Bhopal Mayor Shri Sunil Sood informed on the occasion that about one third population of Bhopal is supplied drinking water from this lake built in the 11th century. Its capacity to hold water was 31 square kilometres which has now shrunk to nine square kilometres. The full tank level of the lake is 1666 feet which has plummeted by 14 feet to the level of 1651 feet. Shri Sood informed that school and college students, journalists, employees of newspapers, members of nursing homes association, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, N.C.C. cadets, NSS volunteers, bank staff, artists and members of social organisations have turned up to put in their voluntary labour today.
Those who also undertook Shramdan included Chief Minister’s wife Smt. Sadhana Singh Chouhan, state president of Bharatiya Janata Mahila Morcha Smt. Seema Singh, Smt. Sarita Deshpande, M.L.B. College lecturers and students. The Bhopal Municipal Corporation conducted the deepening work by constituting 72 sectors. Comprehensive arrangements including vehicles and equipment have been made. This cleaning campaign will continue till June 30.