“It has stunning looks from the outside but from within, it is again being filled with slush,” regretted Nemu Kottari, who fought relentlessly for nearly two decades for the rejuvenation of the historic Gujjarakere in Jeppu under the banner of Gujjarakere Teertha Samrakshana Samithi.
The lake with over 18 centuries of history is closely associated with Mangaladevi Temple in the locality with the Utsava Murthy of the temple being taken to the lake for the Avabhrutha Snana a day after the annual car festival. It also served as a source of drinking water for the locality before getting polluted with sewage.
While efforts to prevent sewage flow into the lake began in 2001 with incomplete works, it took a final shape a couple of years ago when Mangaluru Smart City Ltd. (MSCL) began lake rejuvenation. Member of Parliament Nalin Kumar Kateel and Member of Legislative Assembly D. Vedavyas Kamath inaugurated the rejuvenated lake last month.
Once a breeding ground for mosquitoes filled with raw sewage, the lake became a must-see place after its rejuvenation. Hundreds of people flock to it every day for physical activities and footfall reaches thousands during the weekends. A walking path around the lake, a children play area and an open-air gym are the attractions of the rejuvenated lake.
Sewage flow
Mr. Kottari said that sewage continues to enter the lake from the northeastern side and reports from the College of Fisheries too confirmed the presence of sewage. While the water looked fresh immediately after it was drained out and fresh water got accumulated, one could see sewage sediments at present, he regretted.
MSCL has not executed the work completely, though many sewage inlets were closed down or diverted to newly laid sewer lines, he said. It also did not construct the Teertha Kere (Kalyani) in the middle of the lake as promised by leaders, he added.
The lake has abundant groundwater sources and could cater to drinking water requirements of the city if sewage leak is completely plugged, he added.
Area councillor P.S. Bhanumathi said that the corporation is making efforts to identify the exact cause for the sewage flow. It will be plugged at any cost and the beauty of the lake maintained, she said.
Deploying aerator
Corporation Commissioner Akshy Sridhar said that MSCL has been asked to deploy aerators in the lake so as to disperse sediments for the time being. Though engineers have been unable to locate the source of raw sewage, it will be finally identified and plugged, Mr. Sridhar promised.
