Kukkarahalli and Karanji Lakes, the city’s two well-known lung spaces frequented by a large number of people, may soon get a new lease of life as the work to reroute sewage flow into the lakes from nearby residential localities by laying underground drainage (UGD) pipes is in an advanced stage and expected to be completed in the coming months.
Work on laying big diameter concrete pipes for diverting sewage flow into Karanji Lake has made better progress.
But the work in Kukkarahalli Lake appears to have slowed down for two reasons — decision on felling 265 trees on the lake precincts was awaited and a small stretch of busy Mysore–Hunsur Road near Valmiki Road needs to be cut and closed down.
The Mysore City Corporation (MCC) is implementing the work under the Chief Minister’s Special Grant.
A sum of Rs. 3 crore is being spent for the work in Karanji Lake and Rs. 2 crore towards the work in Kukkarahalli Lake.
The diversion of sewage flow into the lakes was a long-awaited work as raw sewage was flowing into the lakes harming their ecology.
The damage was less in Karanji Lake compared to Kukkarahalli Lake.
D.L. Raju, Executive Engineer, UGD Division, MCC, told The Hindu, “The issue over felling 265 trees at Kukkarahalli Lake appears to be unsolved. The progress of work depends on this decision. If we get consent, the next step will be to cut open Mysore-Hunsur Road stretch for laying pipes.”
He said the Hunsur Road stretch can be cut and traffic diverted on Valmiki Road (UGD pipes had been recently laid under the road) only after it is asphalted by the MUDA.
If Hunsur Road stretch is closed to facilitate the work, traffic can be diverted on Valmiki Road and J.L. Puram Road, which joins Hunsur Road near St. Joseph’s School.
About 800 mm concrete pipes are being laid to prevent obstruction in sewage flow and overflow from manholes.
However, the alignment for laying pipes (in a small stretch) has been altered to save trees at Karanji Lake. Now, the pipes will be laid below the main road joining the lake’s nature park, he said.
Crucial phaseMr. Raju claimed that the work in Kukkarahalli Lake has reached a crucial phase.
“We need to lay pipes across the Hunsur Road junction. Decision on trees and permission for cutting the road was awaited. We hope to complete works in about two to three months.”
