Mayor promises to clean up Kempambudhi lake

The long-neglected Kempambudhi lake, near Basavanagudi would soon be developed, Mayor N Shanthakumari said on Tuesday during her surprise inspection there.

Following the inspection, the Mayor said, “I will request the Transport and district-in-charge Minister Ramalinga Reddy to release funds allotted under the Nagarothana scheme for the overall development of the lake. The historical place has not been developed up to the mark due to shortage of funds faced by BBMP."

She said that the State government would be approached for financial assistance. “The lake spreads over 47 acres and in the last 13 years, about Rs 10 crore has been spent for its upkeep. Sewage water enters the lake from five places nearby. A tender will soon be floated by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) for setting up a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) near the lake,” she said.

The Mayor maintained that based on her directions to the BWSSB, the latter has prepared a project plan along with cost details.

Encroachments cleared

On finding the encroachments around Nadaprabhu Kempegowda tower, located on the lakebed, the Mayor turned furious and took the BBMP officials concerned to task.

The officials requested for two days’ time to clear the encroachments, which Shanthakumari refused. She instead directed them to clear the encroachments by Tuesday evening.

Sunkenahalli corporator P Sadashiva, under whose jurisdiction the lake comes, said that the sewage enters the lake from Bull Temple Road, Hanumanth Nagar, Chamarajpet and surrounding places.

He added, “The authorities of the Bandi Maha Kallamma temple on the lakebed have encroached upon the tower by constructing sheds around the structure. Also, the temple Trust has taken over five acres of lake, illegally.”