The patches of trash

Bengaluru was once known as the ‘city of lakes’. But today, thanks to encroachments and improper maintenance, either most of the lakes have disappeared or there are tall and massive structures where the water bodies were.

The latest addition to the list of vanishing water bodies seems to be Kalena Agrahara Lake, a seven-acre-lake which is situated just off the Bannerghatta Road, one kilometre after the Meenakshi Temple and two kilometres before the NICE Road. Not only is the lake badly maintained but there have been encroachments all around it. Debris and garbage are dumped in the far corner of the lake.

J Krishnan, president of Bannerghatta Neighbourhood Association, observes that the main problem faced by the lake is the untreated sewage flowing into it from nearby layouts.

“The Association’s appeals to the authorities concerned has had no effect and to a large extent, the efforts of the Association in keeping the lake clean are nullified. A recent problem is the rampant illegal construction being carried on at one corner of the lake which threatens its very existence,” reasons Krishnan.

   Most people living around the lake complain of sewage water being diverted into the lake. “You can see the stagnant muck afloat on the lake and the villagers living nearby throw garbage into the lake choking it further,” reasons Asha, a resident of Vithola Apartments on Bannerghatta Road. She also points out that truck loads of mud is being dumped at a corner of the lake.

“Looks like there’s an effort to dump mud and level off a part of the lake. Nobody really knows what is being planned. Different people have different stories to narrate. We have also increased fumigation around the house to fight the mosquito menace,” she adds.  

Ankur Gupta, who stays close to the lake, says that the government bodies have inspected the place but nothing has been done. “There were seven people affected by dengue last year because of the stagnant water from the lake leading to breeding of mosquitoes. We have stepped up our efforts to fumigate the surroundings but nothing has really paid off,” she says. 

There are about 120 odd lakes in the City and the responsibility to maintain, rejuvenate and revive them, has been divided among the Lake Development Authority (LDA), BBMP and the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA). The Kalena Agrahara Lake comes directly under the purview of the BDA. When asked why this lake has been neglected, a senior officer with the BDA, who didn’t want to be named, says,

“A lot of lakes under our control have been taken up for rejuvenation and cleaning but none of this can be done in a short span. It may take months and every project requires time to bear results.” Talking specifically about the case of Kalena Agrahara Lake, this officer cites lack of funds as the main reason.

“We would require at least two crores to develop this seven-acre lake but the government has not released any funds. The BDA has been utilising its own resources to develop a few lakes in the City,” he sums up.