<p>Bengaluru: Nearly three years after its announcement, the plan to install sluice gates at 100 lakes in Bengaluru remains on paper. </p><p>So far, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has installed sluice gates at only 10 lakes while work is in progress at another 10 lakes. </p>.<p>The project was first mooted in 2022 when nearly 100 lakes overflowed, leaving many parts of the city flooded. </p>.<p>The BBMP sent the proposal to the government, which rejected it. Owing to a lack of funds, the project was only taken up partially, a senior BBMP official from the lakes department said. </p>.<p>“We have tried to install sluice gates at important lakes. Based on the need, we have prioritised and taken up work,” the official said. </p>.Evening showers in parts of Bengaluru, more rain likely after 5 days of dry weather .<p>Jakkur lake, Rachenahalli Lake, Doddanekundi Lake and Begur Lake are among the waterbodies that have got a sluice gate. </p>.<p>At Yelahanka lake, Nagawara lake, and eight other lakes, work is in progress. </p>.<p>Sluice gates regulate water flow in waterbodies, helping prevent floods. </p>.<p>Experts say that at least 35-40 lakes in the city are in need of sluice gates. </p>.<p>With just over a month left for the southwest monsoon, lake activists opined that there is a need to stay prepared, especially since the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted good rains this year. </p>.<p>They also pointed out the need to desilt and clean the lake inlets before the monsoon to avoid flooding. </p>.<p>“With just the pre-monsoon showers, many lakes have started receiving plastic and garbage at the inlets. It is important to clean the inlets before the monsoon,” said Balaji Raghotham Bali, a volunteer who works at nearly 15 lakes around KR Puram. </p>.<p>However, BBMP officials maintained that the lake inlets were being cleaned regularly as a part of the maintenance contract. </p>.<p><strong>Cleaning SWDs crucial </strong></p>.<p>Ramprasad V from the Friends of Lakes, a volunteer group, pointed out that the BBMP should focus on cleaning the stormwater drains (SWDs) to ensure that the lakes are prepared for the monsoon. </p>.<p>“Bengaluru has one of the worst SWD networks. Even if we desilt and keep the lakes ready, if the SWD is not cleaned and entry of sewage into SWD is not prevented, the lakes will suffer,” he said. </p>
<p>Bengaluru: Nearly three years after its announcement, the plan to install sluice gates at 100 lakes in Bengaluru remains on paper. </p><p>So far, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has installed sluice gates at only 10 lakes while work is in progress at another 10 lakes. </p>.<p>The project was first mooted in 2022 when nearly 100 lakes overflowed, leaving many parts of the city flooded. </p>.<p>The BBMP sent the proposal to the government, which rejected it. Owing to a lack of funds, the project was only taken up partially, a senior BBMP official from the lakes department said. </p>.<p>“We have tried to install sluice gates at important lakes. Based on the need, we have prioritised and taken up work,” the official said. </p>.Evening showers in parts of Bengaluru, more rain likely after 5 days of dry weather .<p>Jakkur lake, Rachenahalli Lake, Doddanekundi Lake and Begur Lake are among the waterbodies that have got a sluice gate. </p>.<p>At Yelahanka lake, Nagawara lake, and eight other lakes, work is in progress. </p>.<p>Sluice gates regulate water flow in waterbodies, helping prevent floods. </p>.<p>Experts say that at least 35-40 lakes in the city are in need of sluice gates. </p>.<p>With just over a month left for the southwest monsoon, lake activists opined that there is a need to stay prepared, especially since the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted good rains this year. </p>.<p>They also pointed out the need to desilt and clean the lake inlets before the monsoon to avoid flooding. </p>.<p>“With just the pre-monsoon showers, many lakes have started receiving plastic and garbage at the inlets. It is important to clean the inlets before the monsoon,” said Balaji Raghotham Bali, a volunteer who works at nearly 15 lakes around KR Puram. </p>.<p>However, BBMP officials maintained that the lake inlets were being cleaned regularly as a part of the maintenance contract. </p>.<p><strong>Cleaning SWDs crucial </strong></p>.<p>Ramprasad V from the Friends of Lakes, a volunteer group, pointed out that the BBMP should focus on cleaning the stormwater drains (SWDs) to ensure that the lakes are prepared for the monsoon. </p>.<p>“Bengaluru has one of the worst SWD networks. Even if we desilt and keep the lakes ready, if the SWD is not cleaned and entry of sewage into SWD is not prevented, the lakes will suffer,” he said. </p>
