JOIN USThe Subramanyapura lake in Uttarahalli, lying in a state of abject neglect for nearly five years, will get a fresh lease of life, with the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) set to take up rejuvenation work in association with other civic agencies and government bodies.
The decision follows BBMP Commissioner Siddaiah’s visit to the lake following reports in Deccan Herald about illegal dumping of debris and garbage into the water body, thus reducing its extent from 18.2 acre to 11.3 acre.
Based on the news reports, Environment Support Group (ESG) had approached the High Court, which had directed the BBMP on December 13 last year to submit a detailed status report. However, the debris from the lake was not removed, which made the ESG complain to the High Court on Tuesday about the inaction of civic agencies, mainly the BBMP to protect the lake.
The lake inspection by Siddaiah, who was accompanied by Bangalore South MLA M Krishnappa and Uttarahalli corporator Ramesh Raju, created quite a flutter among BBMP engineers who, getting a wind of the visit, shoved all the debris and garbage into the lake, lying on the lake bund. Sewage from nearby apartments, weeds, garbage and encroachment have pushed the lake to the brink of extinction.
After the inspection, Siddaiah instructed the BBMP and Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) engineers to set up a special task force with the help of local police to protect the lake and its major storm water drain (SWD) from debris and garbage mafia.
He also directed the officials to clear the encroachment, rehabilitate the slum-dwellers elsewhere, speed up the construction of residential quarters for the urban poor and fence the lake after identifying its boundary. As the lake is in the custody of BDA, he asked BDA engineers to remove debris in the next 10 days.
Siddaiah also issued orders to penalise the apartment owners for letting the sewage into the lake by encroaching upon the major SWD.
He then directed BBMP Chief Engineer (SWD) to lay a sewage pipeline for the apartment dwellers and make them bear the cost.
He warned the officials of stringent action if they fail to show any improvement by January 20, when he would visit the place again.
To expedite the rejuvenation of the lake, Siddaiah will hold a meeting on Thursday at 10.30 am with the officers of BDA, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewage Board (BWSSB), Karnataka Slum Development Board (KSDB), Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) and the Revenue department. Krishnappa and Ramesh Raju are expected to attend the meeting.