There is no proposal before the University of Mysore to collect an entry fee from public visiting the Kukkarahalli Lake, clarified university Vice-Chancellor K.S. Rangappa.
He was speaking to a delegation of activists comprising members of the Association of Concerned and Informed Citizens of Mysore (ACICM), the Institution of Engineers, and Kananda Vedike.
The Vice-Chancellor said that though the lake was the university’s property, the subject of imposing a fee on users has not come up before the authorities.
Prof. Rangappa’s clarification was in response to objections raised by the delegation, which impressed upon him that the Asian Development Bank had extended a loan of Rs. 91 lakh towards Kukkarahalli Lake conservation through the Mysore City Corporation and the loan was being repaid by the MCC through taxpayers’ money. However, Prof. Rangappa said he was bewildered by reports in the media about the proposed entry fee.
The Vice-Chancellor held the MCC responsible for the increasing pollution of the lake and fishkill. Sewage inflow from the Paduvarahalli side was choking the lake, he said, while the source of fresh water inflow from Purnaiah canal had dried due to encroachment along the canal stretch. ACICM convenor M. Lakshman and others requested Prof. Rangappa to get the encroachments cleared so as to facilitate the inflow of fresh water into the lake.
Prof. Rangappa also said that the MCC has been asked to expedite sewage diversion work underway. Once pipes are replaced and linked to the treatment plant in Rayanakere, pollution levels in the lake will decline.
Prof. Rangappa also said that the statues of Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, the founder of the university, and Sir M. Visvesvaraya would be installed near Crawford Hall ahead of the university’s centenary celebrations.
The visiting delegation expressed dismay that a section of students and staff with political backing had opposed the installation of Sir Visvesvaraya’s statue as he was not in favour of reservation and had resigned as the Diwan of Mysore on the issue. The Vice-Chancellor said the contribution of the two to the University’s establishment and growth was immense and hence they would be installed.
Members of the Institution of Engineers K.N. Subba Rao and Bharadwaj were present.
