The plan to rejuvenate and beautify Aarey Lake, also known as the renowned Chota Kashmir Lake at Aarey Milk Colony, has ignited conflict between environmentalists and the government. While the Public Works Department has issued a tender worth Rs 10.58 crore for the project, a Mumbai-based environmentalist argues that the project, including desilting work, is unnecessary.” He pointed out that there have been no idol immersions in the lake for the past two years, and considers the expenditure on desilting a misallocation of resources.

The Special Project Divison (Aarey) of the Public Works Department (PWD) had invited tenders and the tender mentioned that Rejuvenation and Facelift of Aarey Lake, Parking Facility at an estimated cost of Rs 10,58,32,810. Environmentalist Stalin D from NGO Vanashakti wrote to the department: “We have encountered an advertisement regarding a tender for the rejuvenation of Chota Kashmir Lake and its surroundings.