Despite spending crores of rupees, Udaipur District Administration and Municipal Corporation have failed to clean Pichola lake effectively. Sewage continues to flow into the lake. The fountains and oxygen lines installed at a cost of Rs 2.90 crore  in Pichola Lake and Rang Sagar stopped working after only a few days.

Fishes Died in Rang Sagar Lake

The situation has worsened in Rang Sagar, where over 500 fish have died due to a lack of oxygen. When the fish started dying on July 26, 2024, lake enthusiast Tej Shankar Paliwal reported it to municipal officials. After receiving no response, he contacted the District Collector, who then sent a team to remove the dead fish.

Sewage Causing Pollution in Lake

Currently, sewage from dirty drains has caused a thick layer of aquatic weeds to spread across the lake. The de-weeding machine, which was only able to clean areas around large hotels, has broken down. As a result, heaps of garbage and a green layer of algae cover the lake.

Anil Mehta, another lake enthusiast, had previously sent letters to various officials asking for aerators to run continuously to prevent such fish deaths. However, these requests were ignored, leading to the current crisis. Mehta also stressed that lakes need to be free from waste and pollution to support aquatic life.

The Smart City and Municipal Corporation have failed to stop the sewage flow, with overflow happening daily at various points, including Gangaur Ghat and Gadiya Devra Marg. 

Due to the ongoing pollution and malfunctioning equipment, the water in Pichola Lake and other nearby lakes remains highly polluted, posing a significant threat to both aquatic life and public health.

Source: Rajasthan Patrika