Palike invites bids for Sankey tank work

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on Thursday invited bids for construction of a retaining wall at the Sankey Tank.

The Palike officials said that the weakening bund around the tank was on the verge of collapse and it may give in any time, if restoration is not taken up immediately.

Sources said that if the BBMP had gone by the conventional method of strengthening the
embankment, using mud and stones, the tank area would have shrunk by two acres and 11 guntas. Therefore, the Palike prepared a report, in consultation with the Indian Institute of Science, on different ways to strengthen the embankment without emptying the tank.

Gabion stones to be used

The BBMP has decided to use ‘gabion’ stones to strengthen the embankment and prevent water seepage. Gabions are earth-retaining structures which stabilise the slope and provide embankment protection with nets around it. Officials claim that gabion structures can be placed without removing water from the tank. The project would cost the Palike an estimated Rs 1.72 crore, according to the tender document.