Fish die as BDA, BBMP turn a blind eye

Tussle between the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) over maintaining the Jakkur lake has led to the death of hundreds of fish and other aquatic species in the last three days.

The carcasses have been floating on the 164-acre lake. While government officials knew about it, none took note of it till Wednesday.

On Thursday morning, a team of BDA and the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) officials visited the lake to find the root cause of the problem.

According to the BDA’s Deputy Conservator of Forests B Jairam, sewage is entering the lake from a damaged storm water drain. Also the underground drain from Yelahanka and Allasandra is blocked because of which sewage water is overflowing into the lake.

“We created a 10 MLD (Million Litre per Day) sewage treatment plant and presently the lake is receiving seven MLD of treated water from this. BWSSB officials have said that they will fix the drainage problem on Friday at their cost.

It is the BBMP’s responsibility. We have not done any maintenance work and we have learnt that BBMP too hasn’t. Rejuvenating the lake was the responsibility of the BDA, now further maintenance is the responsibility of the BBMP,” he explained.

However, the BBMP’s lake management engineers countered, saying they were keen on taking over the lake, but the BDA had not handed it over to them.

The official said: “We have written three letters in the last one month, but BDA officials have shown no interest. A concerned individual has come forward to maintain the lake. In fact, the BWSSB is the culprit as it should ensure that no sewage enters lakes.”

The whole area has been emitting a foul smell because of floating dead fish and sewage in the lake for the last three days. Sewage from Kamakshamma Layout, Surabhi Nagar, Marthamma Layout, Maruthi Nagar, Kullappa Badavane, Yelahanka old town, Vidhana Soudha Layout and the surrounding areas is said to be entering the lake and posing health hazards.

The lake is also home to many migratory and local bird population. Their population has also dwindled. While some have died, many have left the place and moved to other lakes in Bengaluru north.

“Though there is a treatment plant near the lake, it is not functioning and because of this a large number of fish have died,” said J H Mohan, a resident.