A Rs. 216 crore project has been chalked out to beautify and preserve 10 lakes of the Bhopal city.

The funding for the project will be done in the form of a loan by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The urban administration and development minister Babulal Gaur reviewed the project’s planning on Thursday and said the work to beautify and preserve lakes was being carried out by various agencies, because of which co- ordination between them was needed so that the work was done smoothly.

He also stressed the need for accomplishing the work within a time-limit.

In the meeting, it was revealed that the work of deciding on a consultant for preparing the work’s detailed project report (DPR) will be completed by July-end.

Gaur said there was a need to provide jobs to people in the tourism sector to ensure environmental conservation of lakes.

He directed officers to include maximum work related to the tourism sector in the detailed action plan.

Marker pillars should also be installed on the water bodies in the city, he said. The minister directed officers to ensure strict action against polluters and encroachers in the lake areas.

It was told that land was being identified for parking near the Kamla Park. A floating fountain has been set up in the Lower Lake and work is underway to install coloured light bulbs there.

The Lower Lake’s boundaries are being surveyed, after which, polluting sources will be fully plugged. Dredger and weeding machines will be purchased to remove water hyacinth from the lake.

Apart from the Upper and Lower Lakes, information about work on eight other lakes, including Motia Talab, Bagh Munshi Hussain Khan Talab, Siddique Hasan Khan Talab, Shahpura Lake, Laharpur, Char Imli and Sarangpani Lake situated in the BHEL area, was also given.