DGDE inaugurates lake in Ambala Cantt

Tribune News Service

Ambala, May 5

Director General Defence Estates (DGDE) Jojneswar Sharma inaugurated a lake, which was earlier a dumping ground, on Tundla road at Ambala Cantonment today.

Varun Kalia, Chief Executive Officer, Ambala Cantonment Board, said, “It was an initiative taken under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and to save ground water. It was a dumping ground and after removing garbage and sludge, it has been converted into a water body. It has been provided permanent water supply so that it does not dry up.”

Fish were introduced to the pond to keep it clean. People have been provided facilities of walking plaza, lights, garden, bio-toilets and outdoor gymnasium.

“It was an in-house project and no consultant was engaged for the purpose. The board took the task of rejuvenation of water bodies as an important component of the Smart Cantonment. The entire water supply in Ambala is through groundwater, but there is no source to replenish it. Rainwater goes into rivers through drains passing through Ambala. We wanted to tap this water so that the water table could be improved,” Kalia said.

The DGDE asked the CEOs of other cantonment boards, who were present on the occasion, to take such initiatives in their areas.

Earlier, he inaugurated 50 CCTV cameras installed at important spots to check crime in Ambala Cantonment area under the Smart Cantonment project. He also inaugurated three water ATMs through video-conferencing. These have been installed at Topkhana Bazar, Topkhana Parade and Himmatpura in the Cantonment area. At these ATMs, one litre of water will be available at a cost of Re 1. However, those having water ATM cards will get it for 50 paise only.

Principal Director Defense Estates, Western Command, Suresh Chander Kaushik was present.