Thane: Jogila lake to rise from grave

The city of lakes, Thane, will receive an appropriate gift for the World Environment Day on June 5. The Jogila lake at Uthalsar, which is now extinct due to encroachment by land mafia, will be revived by the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC).

The civic body has already demolished over 186 structures at the Jogila market and it has also decided to rehabilitate those who have been affected by it.

The TMC razed 168 hutments and 18 commercial structures at Jogila, on Thursday, in its bid to revive the lake which is buried under the human encroachment.

"Many houses and shops were on the lake for the past 25 years," informed a TMC official.

Around 500 policemen and 1500 civic employees were deployed during the demolition. Subsequently, the officials from the national environmental engineering research institute paid a visit to the spot on Friday. 

"The officials have asserted that they will search for the natural springs underneath the lake, revive and conserve them," said Sandip Malvi, public relations officer from the TMC.

Meanwhile, a TMC official assured that all residents who have lost homes due to demolition will be given accommodation by the TMC.