33 lakes to get new lease of life
CM to launch Rs 294-crore project to rejuvenate water bodies today
The State government will set in motion its ambitious plan of rejuvenating 33 lakes in Bangalore, at a cost of Rs 294 crore, with Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa launching development works at the Ullalu lake on Wednesday.
While Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) will take up rejuvenation work on 12 lakes at a cost of Rs 104 crore, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will take up development of the remaining 21 lakes, at an estimated cost of Rs 190 crore.
Addressing a press conference in Bangalore on Tuesday, after presiding over a meeting comprising representatives of various civic authorities and ministers based in the City, senior BJP leader and Bangalore South MP Ananth Kumar said, the rejuvenation programme is expected to be completed within 12 to 18 months. The project includes - clearing encroachments, setting up sewerage treatment plans, besides strengthening the lake boundary.
The lakes that will be taken up by the BDA include - Jakkur lake, Rachenahalli lake, Venkateshapura lake and Sampigehalli lake in Arkavathy Layout, Kothnur lake in Anjanapura Layout, Talaghattapura lake, Konasandra lake and Sompura lake in Banashankari 6th stage Layout and Ramsandra lake, Konaghatta lake and Ullalu lake in Visvesvarayanagar Layout.
Ananth Kumar said, the State government has submitted a detailed project report to the Centre with a request that the 21 lakes coming under the BBMP jurisdiction be funded under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
The State government, concomitantly, will also be providing grants for the BBMP to initiate the project. He said, an amount of Rs 100 crore has been earmarked in the BBMP budget for the rejuvenation programme.
Treatment plant
A sewerage treatment plan will be set up in each lake at an approximate cost of Rs 2 crore. The treated water will be channelled back to the lakes. The rejuvenation programme involves removal of silt, creating paths for runoff water to enter the lakes, repairing sluice gates, developing walking space along the lakes and clearing encroachments. A separate immersion tank facility will also be constructed.
Ananth Kumar said, the Urban Development department had been directed to submit a report on the status of the 127 lakes that had been recommended for rejuvenation by the Lakshman Rao Committee in 1988. Replying to a query, Bangalore Urban District In-charge Ministers Katta Subramanya Naidu and R Ashok ruled out handing over the lakes to private agencies for maintenance.
