The Bangalore Development Authority spent Rs. 10 crore for the beautification of Doddanekundi lake. However, despite such a huge cost, the authorities have failed to prevent inflow of sewage into the lake, while encroachments are yet to be cleared.
Saturday morning turned into a day of disappointment for nearby residents, who have been highlighting these issues with the authorities. While they had pinned their hopes on Upalokayukta Subhash B. Adi, who was scheduled to visit the lake, his visit was called off at the last moment. Concerned citizens had waited for him the whole morning to air their grievances.
Subramanyam, who led the resident’s initiative to restore and rejuvenate the lake, said that the revenue officials were yet to clear all encroachments of the lake area. “They haven’t stopped the sewage inlet into the lake, then how can they restore the lake if it’s flooded with sewage?” he asked.
Girish K.B., another resident who lives right opposite the lake recalled that when he built his house, the lake water was usable and was an abode for birds. Meanwhile, Girish Naik, Tahsildar (East) told The Hindu that the lake area was around 57 acres and the encroachment was yet to be cleared.
Sewage water being let into lake
The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewarage Board (BWSSB) has recently built its pipeline network for Under ground Drainage in the area around Dodanekundi. However, most of the apartments surrounding the lake, are yet to opt for the BWSSB connection. When this reporter visited the lake area, sewage being let into the lake could be seen. BDA has now made a storm water drain around the lake, which was overflowing with sewage. A senior BDA official said that they were going step by step and would soon stop the sewage inflow into the lake.
Upa Lokayukta orders restoration of connecting channels
Upa Lokayukta Subhash B Adi ordered the restoration of connecting channels between lakes in Eastern Bengaluru after he visited three lakes – Halanayakanahalli lake and Kaikondanahalli lake on Sarjapur Road and Chinnappanahalli lake, Marathahalli Ring Road – in the area.
The channels between Kaikonadanahalli and the nearby Savala lakes have been encroached and closed. Upa Lokayukta ordered that all encroachments on these channels be immediately removed He also expressed dismay at how channels between the Chinnappanahalli and Munekolal lakes were almost non existant. He ordered a survey and restoration of these connecting channels.
Residents around the Halanayakanahalli lake have developed three roads of around 1.5 kms long on the lake area creating a shortcut to the area beside from the main road. Upa Lokayukta ordered one of these roads to be immediately closed and directed officials to write to the state government on the status of the other two roads.
