Khandala lake is situated on the south side of the Mumbai – Pune Express way and the old Mumbai – Pune highway. The lake is surrounded by three temples, a defunct railway line, formal and informal settlements and a dam wall to the east. Some of the issues affecting the lake are encroachments, vehicle parking into the lake area, entry of sewage and waste water from surrounding development, erosion and siltation from steep hill edges, lack of vegetation, lack of buffer between the lake and highways, dumping of garbage and nirmalya from temples and heavy tourist influx on the lake front.

The objective of the proposal is to improve the water quality, revive the natural processes of the lake and provide for necessary public amenities. The following concepts are proposed to achieve this objective

• Defining the water edge
• Introducing the lake fronts as softer transition spaces
• Restoration of the catchment areas
• Creating buffer areas in between the water bodies and the roads and railways
• Revival of edges through Biotechnologies
• Redesigning storm water outfalls
• Building collection/ retention ponds where there are surface run offs and storm water entering the lake
• Implementation strategies for development and activities
• Interactive spaces and sites for Public discourses
• Developing guidelines for the future sustainability