Urban News

He said it was because most lakes that previously used to get filled with rainwater were not getting filled anymore.

He said the BDA might entrust the task of conducting the study on a private agency.

“The study will help us find a way to re-divert the water that falls in the city to the nearest lake and create a sort of interlinking between lakes,” he said.

Also, Meena said the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had entrusted the task of rejuvenating 29 more lakes to the BDA. The BDA is preparing a detailed project report and will take up the rejuvenation of these lakes after the government gives its approval.

The lakes that the BDA will develop are Manganahalli, Nelagadirenahalli, Narasappanahalli, Lingadeeranahalli, Amruthahalli, Gubbalala, Avalahalli, Hosakere (Gandhinagara), Chunchanaghatta, Hulimavu, Arakere, Kembettanahalli, Vasanthapura, Bheemanakuppe, Kenchanapura, Kannenahalli, Chikkabasti, Soolekere, B Narayanapura, Chikkabettahalli, Garavebavipalya, Singasandra, Konanakunte, Byrasandrakere, B Channasandrakere, Kaggadasapura and Doddanekkundi.

He said work on them was likely to be completed before the next rainy season.

“We asked the BBMP to give us lakes that are in one line so that we can rejuvenate the upstream and downstream ones in one go,” he said, adding that the Palike has complied with the request. “We will start the rejuvenation work of Doddabidarkallu and Mahadevpura lakes within a few days as their DPRs are ready,” Meena said.

He added that nearly 90 per cent of the work on the 12 lakes allotted to the authority was already complete and `30 crore had been spent on it till now.

The beautification work will be taken up as and when the BDA has sufficient funds, he said.

The BDA is also co-ordinating with Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to treat the water that flows into the lakes.

The board is setting up a sewage treatment plant at Mallathahalli lake and one plant has already been set up at Jakkur lake.

“If the lakes that are being rejuvenated do not get filled this rainy season, we will explore the possibility of pumping treated water into them with the help of the BWSSB,” Meena said.

BDA says work on most lakes almost over

BANGALORE: The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has finished desilting of the lakes and constructed bund roads and track for walkers in the area for their rejuvenation.

They have also completed work on wetlands, islands, system for waste water diversion and improved the storm water inlets, built idol immersion tanks and silt traps and formed earthern embarkment around the lakes. Tree plantation, laying of interlocking pavement blocks and fencing is still on.

BDA is also working on growing water plants such as dypha, reeds, bamboo and lotus plants in the wetlands as these plants absorb nitrogen and phosphorus in the water.

Water will first flow into the wetlands and overflow into the lake after they get filled. The wetlands will also help clean water as the sediments will settle down in the wetlands before it enters the lake.

“The work at most of the lakes is nearing completion,” said BDA Commissioner Bharat Lal Meena.

“According to the agreement, rejuvenation work at Mallathahalli lake would be completed by November, while Ramasandra lake would be ready by January and the work on the remaining lakes would be completed in the next few months.”