Rs 298.76 crore for conservation of Dal Lake

Srinagar, Jul 8 (UNI) The Centre has sanctioned Rs 298.76 crore to restore the pristine glory of the famed Dal Lake, a major tourist attraction in the city.

About ten thousand families were being shifted and rehabilitated, for which land has been identified, an official spokesman said today.

He said the amount was being spent on the construction of sewage- treatment plants, sewer lines, which will be laid around the lake and rehabilitation of the families, which will get displaced.

Spokesman said the work done so far include construction of three sewage treatment plants at Hazratbal, Habak, Laam and 17,850 mts of main sewer lines laid against a target of 21,500 mts.

Similarly 34,143 mts of lateral sewers were laid against a target of 77,000 mts. The Settling Basin at Telbal Nallah has been commissioned, 468 mts long Cut and Cover Conduit, linking Brar-e-Nambal Lagoon with river Jhelum has been commissioned and 99 square kms of the catchments area of the lake has been treated.

However, he said the major problem was the rehabilitation of the ten thousand families living within the lake.

Now, the land has been identified at Rakh-i-Arth and Chandpura for rehabilitating them, the official spokesperson added.

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