Construction and Development of Lake View Promenade

The Upper lake of Bhopal, on its eastern end is engulfed by the urban areas. It is a known fact that unrestricted development on the fringes of the Lake can culminate in the pollution of the Lake and the deterioration of the water quality of the lake. The urban areas in the catchment are concentrated towards the eastern end and constitutes just about 11% of the entire catchment. The area almost engulfs the deepest portion of the Lake and also includes the earthen dam. The topography is accentuated by comparatively steeper slopes and thus provides for an extremely fast run-off from the catchment.

Since the Lake edges are adjunct to the densely populated areas of the city, the tendency of construction and development right upto the edge of the water body has been very strong. Moreover, this construction would prevent the public access to the Lake, even visually. Similarly an uncontrolled edge would facilitate continued intervention of human beings and their cattle in the Lake body.

Thus on planning grounds, it was imperative that a buffer had to be created between the Lake edge and the Developmental edge. 

It was on this principal that the link Road from Retghat and Lalghati was constructed under the project as a buffer between the Human Settlements and the Lake. The effectiveness of this solution and the response from the population in general regarding availability of an easy access to the lake front prompted the replication of similar solution at other fringes. 

The southern fringe of the Lake from the Vardhaman Park to the Indira Gandhi Museum of Man provide another opportunity to enrich the lake fringe and keep it under control, yet accessible to the public. The two kilometer stretch is under government ownership and is prone to encroachment and human intervention. It is imperative that this Lake fron be managed effectively to prevent human intervention in the lake as well as to provide access to the Lake for the passive recreation of the citizens. 

It is proposed to develop this Lake front as a promenade in two sections. The first section from Vardhaman Park to the Pump House near Boat club, is as yet not accessible to the general public and is used as a backyard of the residential buildings abutting it. This is leading to the tendency of encroachment of the land and dumping of waste on it which ultimately gets into the lake. The rocky terrain of the section provides an ideal opportunity to develop this in an exquisitely landscaped area with a walk way. Due to steep gradients and obstruction on both ends, it is neither possible to develop an automobile link, nor is advisable and of any use. Thus an exclusive pedway access accompanied with landscaped areas and pavillions for shelter and sitting have been proposed. The area would be developed with a retaining wall defining the Lake extent and on the lower level, a strip of Lake bed is proposed to be covered with stone pitching to prevent not only the erosion but also collecting any incidental waste that gets in the Lake. 

The second part, i.e. from the Pump house to Jeevan Vatika on the Lake drive road already has an infrastructure of a road. What this section lacks is provision of proper parking space, developed promenades, viewing platforms and gardens on the spaces available above FTL level to enhance the passive recreational capacity of the section. The proposal incorporates these elements and envisages a serene Lake view promenade. This section also incorporates defining the Lake edge and protecting it with a retaining wall and pitching in the area below FTL for a distance of 6m from the retaining wall. 

The works are being executed by the Capital Project Civil Construction Division No.1 . The works are estimated to cost Rs 39.4 million and are scheduled to be completed in 26 weeks time. The works have commenced from June 2001. The length of Lakeview promenade (pathway) from Vardhman Park to Jeevan Vatika Park is 1830 mtrs. and the width of the pathway is 3.60 mtrs. towards hill side from Vardhman Park to Pumphouse while the width of pathway from Pumphouse to Jeevan Vatika is 3 mtrs wide towards lake side. The provision for parking of 150 Scooters and 45 Cars are provided at different chainage from Pumphouse to Jeevan Vatika Park. Hollow tube railing of 1.2mt height are also provided along the pathway towards lake. A view point near Boat Club is also developed. 3 Baradaries near Vardhman Park, Bharat Bhawan and Jeevan Vatika Park are constructed in total length. Various plant species will be planted towards the lake side and also at open space available towards hill sides to develop as a green belt for enhancing the aesthetic beauty of the area. Benches of PCC are provided at different places for sitting purpose of visitors. The dustbin on every 40 mtrs distance are being provided for cleanliness. Proper Lighting arrangements are being provided all along the pathway. The work is likely to be completed by 31st March 2002.