Subramanyapura Lake, ironically, still remains a gomala (cattle-grazing) land in government records, although a 1903 survey map of Thurahalli village shows it as a water body.
Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Commissioner Siddaiah, replying to a question raised M K Gunashekar, leader of the Opposition Congress in the BBMP Council, on Wednesday said that the water body had all along been shown only as gomala land in government records, because it had never been notified as a lake.
Gunashekar sought to know the action taken by the Palike to protect the lake from sewage and rampant encroachment. He also highlighted the encroachment of the stormwater drain of the lake and its catchment area.
Siddaiah told the House that the water body was one among the 55 lakes that were handed over to the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) for maintenance. He said three meetings had taken place in this regard with the officials of all the departments responsible for the rejuvenation of the lake.
“The matter of Subramanyapura Lake rejuvenation is pending before the High Court and we have to submit the action taken reports. The current status is that the BDA has started fencing it, while encroachments have to be cleared. There are 350-odd houses built on the lake bed. They have to be shifted temporarily for which measures have been taken,” Siddaiah said.
He admitted that the stormwater drain had been encroached upon by builders, including Mantri Tranquil. He said survey and fencing of the stormwater drain was underway. Sewage from nearby layouts and apartments are also choking the water body, Siddaiah said. He said an action plan had to be prepared to clean the lake and lay a separate sewerage line to divert dirty water.
Gunashekar also raised the issue of conservation of lakes and the allocation of funds for the purpose. He sought to know how much money the Palike had spent from the Rs 160 crore it had earmarked for conserving water bodies in this year’s budget. He said the civic body should utilise Central government funds for the purpose.
Siddaiah said the Karnataka High Court had passed an order to protect all the lakes in the City. He told the Council that there were 187 lakes, of which 55 were under the Palike’s control. The civic agency has reserved Rs 85 crore for lake conservation. The BDA, which has 123 lakes in its custody, wants to return some of them to the Palike, he said.
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