Strive for Quality and Standard in Development Works – Divisional Commissioner Dr. Nidhi Pandey

Inspection of Development Works Under Lonar Development Plan by Divisional Commissioner

Amravati : Efforts must be made to ensure that development works under the Lonar Development Plan are of high quality and completed within the stipulated timeframe, instructed Dr. Nidhi Pandey, Chairperson of the Lonar Development Plan Committee and Divisional Commissioner, to the concerned implementing agencies.

Dr. Pandey conducted an on-site inspection of the development works and reviewed their progress on Saturday, December 7, in Lonar. She was accompanied by Buldhana’s Acting District Collector Sadashiv Shelar, Committee members and legal advisors Advocate S. Sanyal, Advocate Deepak Thakre, Advocate Captain, Advocate Parchure, Superintendent of the Archaeological Survey of India Arun Malik, Special Executive Officer Sushil Agrekar, and officials from the Forest Department, Municipal Council, MMRDA, Sub-divisional Officer, and Chief Officer.

Mrs. Pandey highlighted that the Lonar Crater Lake in Buldhana district, formed due to a meteorite impact on basalt rocks, is world-renowned. Rich in biodiversity, it is a significant site from a tourism perspective. To preserve, conserve, and develop Lonar Lake and its surroundings, as well as for the holistic development of the area, a development plan worth ₹369.78 crores has been approved by the government. Regular reviews of the planned works under the development plan are conducted by the committee. Administrative approvals and funding provisions have been secured for the various projects under the plan. She urged implementing agencies to work conscientiously to ensure the timely and high-quality completion of the works, particularly focusing on improving civic amenities around Lonar Lake and its surroundings.

During the site inspection, committee members visited locations including Lonar Lake, the Annachatra (community kitchen), the Wet Well Toilet, and the Gomukh area. For the Gomukh area, which falls under the Archaeological Survey of India, Dr. Pandey instructed that ramps should be installed to facilitate easy access for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. She also directed that water supply to the toilets be maintained regularly to ensure their proper use. Regarding solid waste management in the city, she asked for appropriate planning to be presented at the next meeting.

The Divisional Commissioner emphasized that the CCTV cameras installed in the Gomukh area should be linked to the police department, enabling better monitoring for the safety of visitors. Additionally, the police and the Archaeological Survey of India should install more CCTV cameras at strategic locations to prevent untoward incidents in the area.

The committee also unanimously approved the Tourism Department’s proposal for establishing a planetarium and a museum. Regarding the removal of Prosopis juliflora (commonly known as “Vedi Babool”), a survey-based sample plot should be selected on a trial basis, and appropriate action should be taken as per regulations. A detailed report on the same should be submitted to the committee by February 2025, as directed to the Forest Department.