Spruced up, only to be forgotten

Most agencies have a hands off policy when it comes to maintenance of developed lakes

KARNATAKA - BENGALURU - 27/07/2015 : The development and rejuvenation work at Halagevaderahalli lake, which yet to be completed, in Rajarajeshwari Nagar, in Bengaluru on July 27, 2015. Photo K Murali Kumar.

In a flurry of activity, weeds and silt are removed, a fence and walkway laid, and a garden prepared around the lake. The centre of attraction, however, remains either a barren eyesore or a putrid stench.

Take for instance the Laksman Murthy Nagar Lake. Rs. 3 crore was spent by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to “develop” the lake in 2013. Now, the lake itself remains hidden under weeds, and former councillor K. Sukumar fears it may return to the state of sewage and filth.

“No one wants to be held accountable to maintain the lake,” he said.

Whether it is Halagevaderahalli, Kempambudhi or Kaggadasapura lakes, the story is replicated around the city. For instance, take Mestripalya lake in Koramanagala 3rd Block, where a green fence and a walking track — which is due for improvement — runs along it. The lake, however, is just a dust bowl with muck in the middle.

The Bangalore Development Authority has already spent Rs. 75 crore to develop 12 lakes in the city. Many more are in the process of ‘development’. However, rejuvenation of lake ecology seems not to be the priority for the local authorities, says Kshitij Urs from the People’s Campaign for Right to Water. “All we see is large spends of public money on cosmetic touches to the lake,” he said.

Water conservationist S. Vishwanath said almost all “developed” lakes have been left in neglect. “Either a separate institution needs to be created to manage all water sources in the city, or lakes should be handed over to the BWSSB that takes care of sewage treatment,” he said.

Official speak

Shivashankar, Superintendent Engineer, BDA, said the authority handed over developed lakes to the BBMP for maintenance. “We clean out the lake so that it fills ups in the rainy season. The maintenance is entirely up to the BBMP, including sewage diversion and ensuring inlet for rainwater,” he said.

While maintenance of the walkways and gardens posed no issues to the BBMP, Administrator T.M. Vijay Bhaskar said preservation of numerous lakes being handed over will need comprehensive, long-term solutions.