BBMP to develop 24 lakes this year, to spend Rs 70 cr

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike will take up the development of 24 lakes in the current financial year.

These lakes will be developed at a cost of about Rs 70 crore, which was sanctioned by the state government under the special package for Bengaluru in 2016-17. A few of the selected lakes are Kalkere lake, Kempambudhi lake, Devarabeesanahalli lake, Siddapura lake and Subramanyapura lake.

Sources in the BBMP said technical and administrative approvals have been granted to the project and tenders have been cleared by the Palike. The files have gone to the state government for final approval.

“Once it is done, we will go ahead with the development of these lakes. You will see change in the condition of these lakes from this year itself,” said a BBMP engineer dealing with lakes.

Like most of the lakes in the city, sewage is choking the historic Kempambudhi lake near Basavanagudi, which was built by Kempegowda 550 years ago. Of the Rs 4 crore earmarked for Kempambudhi lake, Rs 1.37 crore will be spent on diverting sewage.

Two years ago, the Bangalore Development Authority had transferred the responsibility of 120 lakes to the BBMP as it was unable to develop them for want of funds.