Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday launched the much-awaited Bindusagar cleaning initiative.
Bindusagar, one of the natural heritage and holy lakes in temple city Bhubaneswar, is situated in the north of Lingaraj temple.
The estimated cost for the revival and cleaning of the iconic lake is Rs 70 lakh which is being funded by the Indian Oil’s CSR fund.
The project is being taken up by the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Indian Oil (IOC) campus Bhubaneswar in collaboration with Odisha Bridge Construction Company.
As per plans, four pumping systems along with HDC reactor will be projected around the Bindusagar which will make the water clean. It will also increase the aesthetic value of the natural water body, official sources said.
The technology is the latest and energy efficient, IOCL officials said.
"Bindusagar is the oldest lake and latest technology is being used to clean it up. We had earlier urged Odisha government for taking up the project," said Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
"Guided by PM Shri @narendramodi ji’s national movement for a #SwachhBharat, ICT-IOC along with the state govt. of Odisha will implement state-of-the-art technology to clean up and revive the oldest and the largest water body of the Capital city of Bhubaneswar," tweeted Pradhan.
Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) Vice-chancellor AB Pandit said, “The technology was used in cleaning up a lake in Maharashtra. In about three to four weeks of time, people can see change in the colour of the lake and water getting clearer and cleaner.”
The technology doesn’t kills fish rather it only kills green algae during treatment of the water, Pandit added.
Bindusagar lake is used by the devotees and priests for conducting the rituals of Lord Lingaraj. The water body has been polluted due to religious activities and dumping of trash. The holy water tank is also filled with weeds and algae.
The Odisha government is now undertaking the ambitious Ekamra Kshetra heritage project which was announced by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in 2019.
As per official sources, the project involves comprehensive development of the Lingaraj temple and its periphery spanning 66 acre land. Similarly, the officials have planned for beautification and massive upgradation of infrastructure and amenities for devotees and tourists.
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)