BMP, BWSSB team up to save lakes

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE April 24. The Bangalore Mahanagara Palike's (BMP's) budgetary proposal to rejuvenate lakes received a fillip on Wednesday when it entered into collaboration with the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). 

            In the first phase of a project to be taken up jointly by the BMP and the BWSSB, the Sankey tank and the Yediyur and Kempambudhi lakes would be restored at a cost of over Rs. 5 crore. A sewage treatment plant at a cost of Rs. 1.5 crore will be set up near the Yedyur lake. The BWSSB has agreed to contribute 50 per cent of the project cost, and the rest of the funds required will be provided by the BMP, according to the Mayor, K. Chandrashekar. 

            Addressing presspersons after an inspection of the Sankey tank and the Yediyur and Kempambudhi lakes, along with BWSSB Chairman, M.N. Vidyashankar, and senior BMP officers, Mr. Chandrashekar said the treatment plant would help stop inflow of sewage into the Yediyur lake. A permanent drainage system for South Bangalore would also be established, he added. A report on the project would be prepared within three weeks, and the work completed by the end of next year, he said. 

            Mr. Chandrashekar said the Yediyur lake would be rejuvenated at a cost of Rs. 1.5 crore. While the eastern bund of the lake would be strengthened at a cost of Rs. 30 lakh, a garden with a path, a children's park, and a fountain would be built near the lake at a cost of Rs. 50 lakh, he added. The first phase of the Rs. 1.5 crore project for the rejuvenation of the Kempambudhi lake is nearing completion. In 15 days, the inflow of sewage into the lake will be stopped. Mr. Vidyashankar said the BWSSB had provided, at a cost of Rs. 50 lakh, underground sewerage for the four storm water drains that converge at the lake. 

            Work on the mini water-reclamation plant, taken up by the BWSSB (in the vicinity of Kempambudhi lake) at a cost of Rs. 1 crore, was nearing completion, and trial runs were being carried out, he said. The treatment plant would treat the water, chlorinate it, and pump it back into the lake, he explained. The lakebed, covering an area of 14.84 hectares, is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. 

            During rains, the lake is flooded with sewage flowing from the five storm water drains and domestic sanitary lines from areas surrounding it. In its budget last year, the BMP earmarked Rs. 4 crore for restoring the lake. The Sankey tank will be developed in association with the Forest Department. The tank, which was being maintained by the BMP, was handed over to the Forest Department for maintenance, a few years ago. 

            The BMP Engineer-in-Chief, R. Jaiprasad, will discuss the Sankey tank project with the Forest Department officers. Mr. Chandrashekar said that while the tank would be cleaned at a cost of Rs. 50 lakh, a gymnasium, a playground, a path, and a park would be developed at a cost of Rs. 50 lakh, Mr. Chandrashekar said.

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