<p>Hosakerehalli Lake, where a historic ‘mantapa’ was discovered during desilting last year, has now become a garbage dump yard.</p>.<p>“The water body is now stinking. Most of our neighbours are suffering from breathing related diseases as it is impossible to get fresh air in the air. Tenants are also vacating their houses as the situation gets worse when it rains,” said Eerappa, a resident of Hosakerehalli village.</p>.<p>In 2015, Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) had taken up the rejuvenation of the lake and begun cleaning operations. The lake regained its beauty and soon resembled a bird sanctuary with many migratory birds flocking to it. But the civic body’s negligence has made all the hard work go in vain.</p>.<p>A resident on condition of anonymity said the lake has turned into a dumpyard within six months. “We are scared that the lake will overflow after heavy rains and enter the residential areas. The civic body has failed to check the encroachment of the lake bed,” he said.</p>.<p>Shivappa, a villager, said, “We have lodged several complaints with civic bodies. Officials are just negligent towards this. We have been keeping an eye out on the lake, but people dump waste at night. As common people how much more can we do?”</p>.<p>For the rejuvenation of the lake, spread over 59 acres, Rs 9.40 crore was sanctioned. BDA officials said 40% of the rejuvenation project has been completed and they have approximately spent Rs 1.80 crore till date.</p>.<p>“One acre twenty guntas of the lake area has been encroached by the residents. After the tahasildar finishes the marking process, we are going to fence the lake area. Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is taking up the pipe laying project to divert the sewage water. Once it’s done, the water body will be fit to store rain water,” Sumathi, Assistant Executive Engineer told <span class="italic">DH</span>.</p>.<p>When asked about the deadline for the completion of the project, the official said, “We are going to complete it by March 2019. However, it depends on the rain, which might delay the project.”</p>
<p>Hosakerehalli Lake, where a historic ‘mantapa’ was discovered during desilting last year, has now become a garbage dump yard.</p>.<p>“The water body is now stinking. Most of our neighbours are suffering from breathing related diseases as it is impossible to get fresh air in the air. Tenants are also vacating their houses as the situation gets worse when it rains,” said Eerappa, a resident of Hosakerehalli village.</p>.<p>In 2015, Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) had taken up the rejuvenation of the lake and begun cleaning operations. The lake regained its beauty and soon resembled a bird sanctuary with many migratory birds flocking to it. But the civic body’s negligence has made all the hard work go in vain.</p>.<p>A resident on condition of anonymity said the lake has turned into a dumpyard within six months. “We are scared that the lake will overflow after heavy rains and enter the residential areas. The civic body has failed to check the encroachment of the lake bed,” he said.</p>.<p>Shivappa, a villager, said, “We have lodged several complaints with civic bodies. Officials are just negligent towards this. We have been keeping an eye out on the lake, but people dump waste at night. As common people how much more can we do?”</p>.<p>For the rejuvenation of the lake, spread over 59 acres, Rs 9.40 crore was sanctioned. BDA officials said 40% of the rejuvenation project has been completed and they have approximately spent Rs 1.80 crore till date.</p>.<p>“One acre twenty guntas of the lake area has been encroached by the residents. After the tahasildar finishes the marking process, we are going to fence the lake area. Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is taking up the pipe laying project to divert the sewage water. Once it’s done, the water body will be fit to store rain water,” Sumathi, Assistant Executive Engineer told <span class="italic">DH</span>.</p>.<p>When asked about the deadline for the completion of the project, the official said, “We are going to complete it by March 2019. However, it depends on the rain, which might delay the project.”</p>
