Halagevaderahalli lake is one of the oldest water bodies in the city that recharged groundwater and provided drinking water to people living near the lake. Now, the lake is a cesspool of garbage and filth with sewage flowing into it.
Several attempts have been made to revive and rejuvenate this historically important 16-acre lake. The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials claim that six acres of the lake bed has been encroached upon. Besides, the main reason for the lake being polluted is the sewage line that runs through the lake. The former Commissioner Siddaiah had inspected the lake at least three times and directed officials concerned to undertake restoration and development works of the water body.
However, the condition of the lake has seen no improvement. The residents of the area complain that the stench becomes unbearable. A senior BBMP official blamed the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board saying it had not taken measures to shift the sewage line. “The sewage line runs through this lake, a raja kaluve (a major storm-water drain) and through the Kenchanahalli Bachikere. Due to the insufficient capacity of the pipeline, the sewage often overflows,” he said. He added that the BBMP has written to BWSSB several times, besides conducting joint inspections. He claimed that the lake could be rejuvenated if the pipeline is changed and shifted by maintaining proper gradient.
