Powai Lake

In a setback to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Bombay High Court allowed PILs challenging the construction of a cycling and jogging track around Powai Lake and said the cycle track was illegal.

About Powai Lake:

• Recognized as a wetland, the Powai Lake is located in the north-eastern suburbs of Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• The Powai Lake is an artificial man-made lake located to the north of Mumbai and southwest of Thane.
• It was formed as a result of two dams built on the Mithi River in 1891.
• The purpose was to create a reservoir for providing water supply in Mumbai.
• However, water quality degraded within a few years, and it was declared unfit for drinking. It is being used for industrial purposes.
• The Maharashtra State Angling Association (then called Bombay Presidency Angling Association), formed in 1936, currently controls and manages the lake
• In 1995, the National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) included Powai Lake among India’s 10 main lakes to be revived and improved.
• This program, launched in 2002, was implemented by BMC. As a result of this move, the condition of the lake has considerably improved