Jeypore: The state government has estimated an expenditure of about Rs 11 crore for the renovation of the historic Jagannath Sagar, a large reservoir spread over 300 acres in the heart of this town and known as the Dal lake of Odisha.
The government has offered a proposal to the Jeypore municipality in this regard, a report said.
The expenditure of Rs 10.56 core would be adjusted from the urban infrastructure development fund, it was learnt.
While the local civic body would contribute 10 per cent of the expenditure, 45 per cent of the total expenditure would be taken as loan which would be repaid by the municipality. The balance 45 per cent would be granted by the state government from its planned expenditure.
The proposal of the state government is being discussed at the municipal office. Upon unanimity among the members of the civic body authorities, the project would be taken up for the protection and beautification of the lake which badly requires de-silting.
The historic lake would soon be a thing of past unless immediate measures are taken for its renovation, locals said.
Believed to be excavated in 1716, the large water body still offers livelihood to many people of the town.
A few days ago, a cactus park was set up at the north side of the lake by reducing its size. However, the park disappeared after some days of its inauguration.
Soon after, a multi-core boating club had come up on the water body but it also turned a bathing ghat and people started washing their clothes.
Later, some portions of the lake were filled with soil to make it a bus stop. However, the proposal was opposed by the locals and a vending zone came up at the place.
On the other hand, a park was set up at the southern side of the lake which is lying unused.
At the moment, some people are trying to shrink the lake from all sides for their vested interests. But the administration doesn’t take any concrete measure for its renovation, alleged locals.
According to historians, then King Ramchandra Dev-II had excavated the lake on a patch of 300 acres in 1716 and the British East India Company accorded the lake a tourist destination status in 1719. However, the size of the lake has come down to just 100 acres due to rampant encroachments from all sides, it is alleged.
Meanwhile, locals demanded a massive facelift of the lake with facilities for parking, diving, boating, swimming training and hotels to boost tourism. It would also create employment opportunities for the local youths, they said.
