The Deccan Herald 18.10.2010
Sewerage chokes Sarakki lake
Bangalore, October 17, DHNS:
A lake, which was once considered one of the finest in the City, is now crying for attention.
The 86-acre Sarakki lake in the outskirts of the City is dying a slow death. While the lake looks picturesque from a distance, only local residents know what lies beneath it.
Nrupathunga Nagara Welfare Association’s General Secretary Ananthapadmanabha says the lake has become a big dump yard and even carcasses of animals can be found in the lake. “The road on the lake bund was too narrow for vehicular movement and was widened recently. But the lake is yet to see any development,” he said.
In LDA’s defense, Head, Dr U V Singh says the Authority cannot undertake any development work immediately since the BWSSB has taken up a new project at RBI Layout.
Since Sarakki lake was once under the old City Municipal Council, underground drainage system is yet to be constructed in a few surrounding areas.
Singh added that de-silting was carried out three years ago and LDA wanted to hand over the development work to a private company under the PPP model.
“We received a few inquiries, but later the private agencies surveyed the surrounding areas and did not to take up the project since deweeding the place will not have any long term benefits as long as sewerage water is let out into the lake,” he explained.As long as BWSSB does not complete the underground drainage project, Singh says the LDA cannot take up any development work.