Fish kill at lake raises stink as officials pass the buck

Bangalore Development Authority and Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike officials were found passing the buck for the damaged Gowdanapalya Lake bund, which resulted in large scale fish kill in Dorekere.

Even as officials indulged in blame game, at least 20,000 fish were found dead in Dorekere on Friday. Morning walkers said since Wednesday one lakh fish have died.Gowdanapalya Lake, which is a cesspool of sewage, was damaged by land grabbers to reduce its water storage capacity. After the tank bund was damaged, lakhs of litres of highly contaminated water gushed and mixed in Dorekere, leading to death of fish. 

On Friday, along with dead fish, thick layer of algae floated on the surface. Locals blamed the apathetic attitude of BBMP and BDA for the incident, which is the custodian of Gowdanapalya Lake. 

‘Hold BBMP accountable’

BDA Commissioner T Sham Bhatt accused Bangalore Urban Deputy Commissioner for not initiating action against those encroaching upon Gowdanapalya Lake. BBMP should be primarily held accountable for the incident as they have funds to improve lakes, he added.

BBMP engineers held BDA accountable saying they were the custodian. BBMP Commissioner M Lakshminarayana said he would inspect Dorekere and take stock of the situation.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said he would seek details from BBMP and BDA commissioners. Mayor B S Satyanarayana said the local ward corporator should be answerable to the incident.