The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) will develop around 12 water bodies in the City, apart from  the restoration work on Bindu Sagar lake.

 Around 12 water bodies have been identified where BMC will carry out the restoration work. The project is expected to cost around `30 crore. The water bodies which will be restored are __  Badapokhari, Jharapokhari, Masjid pond, Kapileshwar pond, Ananta Basudeva pond and Purohit tank.

 A major focus of the project is to develop the periphery of the water bodies so as to prevent future damage to it.

 “Beautification of the boundary, setting up of ornate light posts and construction of ghats is a part of the project meant for restoration of water bodies,” said a senior BMC official.

 Separate ghats for men and women will be constructed across all the 12 water bodies.

Other than beautification __ de-watering, de-weeding, de-silting, creating an inlet and outlet for the water and diversion of any waste material away from the water body __ will also be undertaken.

 New public toilet will be constructed near the water bodies.

 The detailed project report (DPR) has already been prepared by BMC and it will be placed at the corporation meeting this month. After the approval by the council, the proposal will be moved to the State Government for final approval.

The funds for the project will be provided by the State Government and the Central Government under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

 A parliamentary committee is expected to visit the City by the end of this month. They will tour the city and inspect the developmental work undertaken by the corporation.

Even though the peripheral work for Bindu Sagar lake has been completed, the dredging of the lake water has not been done yet.

Additional funds have been sanctioned for the dredging operation of the lake.