The New Indian Express 17.12.2009
Filth, flu and encroachment
Aniruddha Chowdhury
BANGALORE: If the polluted water and garbage of Dasarahalli Lake is anything to go by, it can perhaps be considered as one of the filthiest lakes in Bangalore.
One needs a lot of patience to stand for a few minutes near this lake. The bad odour makes one search for a handkerchief to cover the nostrils and developing a nauseating feeling is almost inevitable.
Many people, including residents, officials and elected representatives, are responsible for the sorry state of this lake.
The lack of measures to prevent the flow of sewage water into the lake has made it a nightmare for the residents of Dasarahalli.
Surprisingly, the filthy atmosphere of the lake does not prevent it from being encroached.
A hallow-brick manufacturing unit, a small temple and a slum have encroached upon the area.
The elected representatives and officials concerned have not taken any action to prevent encroachment or dumping of garbage into the lake. The facility to slaughter goats and sheep near the lake, has compounded the problem of hygiene.
“I suffer from fever and cough. I have to visit the doctor once in a week. The mosquitoes have become a menace,’’ complains Haseena Bibi, a housewife.
The lake has become a dumping place for not only for garbage but also for carcasses of animals.
Neither the Pollution Control Board nor the BBMP authorities check the inflow of effluents from the industrial units at the Peenya industrial area.
During monsoon, the lake swells to low-lying areas and this gives a tough time for the residents.
``No officials care to remove the silt from the lake which has been there for many years.
The slum at the lake is the result of collusion of politicians and authorities. I do not know why the Slum Clearance Board officials have not taken any initiative to clear this slum,’’ says another resident, on condition of anonymity.
It is believed that Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike has decided to take up the restoration of the lake under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Rural Urban Renewal Mission. ``The local MLA performed pooja for the restoration work at the lake recently.
Now, the work has been stopped due to the reasons best known to MLA,’’ said N Jayanna, a tempo driver at Dasarahalli junction.
Dasarahalli MLA S Muniraju said that the restoration of the lake will commence shortly. ``The BBMP has alloted Rs 9.65 crores for the restoration of Dasarahalli Lake. The Forest Department officials stopped the restoration work claiming that they did not receive information from the BBMP. I have told the BBMP authorities to provide the necessary information to the Forest Department.
I am hopeful of commencing the work shortly,’’ said Muniraju.
