Dal Lake beautification work resumes

Srinagar, Oct 22 (ANI): The cleaning and beautification work of Dal Lake, Kashmir's most famous water body resumed. The operations were stalled for three months when curfews and strikes hit the region.

Almost 500 canals have been cleaned so far in the drive that resumed a fortnight ago.

"Crash Course Drive has been started. Under this drive, we have put all our machines, along with motorboats and manpower on work. Through water-master, we have started operations in double shifts," said Mir Irfan, Assistant Executive Engineer, Lake And Water Development Authority (LAWDA).

"This lake is our pride. It has been the pride of Kashmir and by God's grace it would always remain so. Accordingly, if this would be clean, then only tourists will flock here to see it," said Muneer Bhatt, a resident.

The lake's water quality has also deteriorated due to pollution caused by untreated sewage and solid waste that is fed into the lake from the peripheral areas and from the settlements and houseboats.

The violence and unrest saw many areas being cordoned off, leading to the cleaning activities being abandoned midway. (ANI)