Mineral Area Development Authority (Mada) is preparing an estimate to carry out boulder pitching on the 6km road surrounding Topchanchi lake to prevent the inflow of silt from the adjoining areas to the lake.

The entire project is likely to cost around Rs 5 crore.

Boulder pitching, which involves the use of concrete and rocks, is used in embankments and culverts to break the flow of rain water and stop erosion.

“The boulder pitching work will be carried out with funds collected under bazar fee,” a source in Mada said, adding that the project would be sanctioned after the preparation of the estimate within a week.

Bazar fee is the 1 per cent indirect tax collected by Mada for trade of non-agricultural items such as coal, coke, bricks, stone chips, boulders limestones, sand, iron, steel, cement and fertiliser under its jurisdiction.

The annual collection of bazar fee stands at around Rs 50 crore.

“The boulder pitching of lake road will prevent the deposition of silt in the bed of the lake from adjoining areas,” executive engineer-cum-technical member of Mada Indresh Shukla said.

He said Mada would also develop market complexes at Chirkunda, Topchanchi and Rajganj through the funds received under bazar fee.

Last year, Mada had launching the desilting work at Topchanchi lake at a cost of Rs 17 crore provided by the state minor irrigation department, but hasn’t been able to complete the work till now.

This grounded Dhanbad district administration’s Rs 85 lakh project to beautify the lake through the Dhanbad Municipal Corporation.

Topchanchi lake was established by the British in 1924 by tapping 10 streams flowing down Parasnath hills. Surrounded by a wildlife sanctuary of 8.75sqkm, the lake draws in a large number of tourists every year. Several migratory birds also flock in the lake.

Surrounded by several beautiful hillocks, the lake was once an extremely popular filming destination.

Several stars, including Dharmendra, Ashok Kumar, Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen, have shot films in the vicinity.