Deccan Herald             21.11.2013

Allalasandra Lake to get a makeover

Allalasandra Lake located in Yelahanka will soon get a makeover. The Bruhat Bangalore Mahangara Palike (BBMP) officials at a recent meeting with the local residents  said measures would be taken to improve the waterbody. 

Palike representatives – MLA of Yelahanka Constituency, S R Vishwanath, local corporators of different wards of the constituency, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board ( BWSSB) officials were present at the meeting organised by Yelahanka United Environment Association (YUVA), Members of YUVA  and residents suggested various rejuvenation measures such as converting the lake into a picnic spot, undertaking weed removal activity among others.

Vishwanath said he will discuss the issues in the coming Palike council meeting and take steps on a priority basis."

A total of Rs 8 crore was sanctioned under the Palike budget one and half year back for the development of lake. Activities such as fencing, desilting, survey of the lake and fencing, setting up walking track, and pathway lighting has been completed at Rs 6 crore. The other suggested works including installing children equipments would be undertaken within four months of time at the cost of remaining Rs 2 crore."

Residents staying close to lake maintain that for the last two years, the water body has been stinking and polluted due to the sewage flow. Jagadeesh Giri, a resident and member of the association said: “The nearby apartments have, illegally, connected their sewage pipelines to the Storm Water Drainage (SWD),that is in turn connected to lake. The latter is supposed to carry only rainwater.  However, due to the sewage connection, the lake is polluted completely giving out a foul smell.”

The association members maintained that BBMP Commissioner M Laxminarayana and BWSSB authorities visited the spot in the month of October. During their inspection, the authorities informed the residents that a separate pipeline would be put up to carry the sewage water of the apartments and deviated from SWD. However, the work is yet to start, the members  added.

The Times of India         20.11.2013

Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation's 24x7 water supply project to be reality soon

VISAKHAPATNAM: The proposed 24x7 drinking water supply project for the residential areas in the North-West part of Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) limits is all set to become a reality soon as the Centre has issued an in-principle approval to take up the project on a priority basis, GVMC commissioner MV Satyanarayana has said.

The commissioner was in New Delhi on Tuesday to give a power point presentation on various projects proposed by GVMC, including drinking water, to the working committee members of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

In a press release issued on Tuesday, the civic chief said that the Centre had positively responded to the drinking water project that is to be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 264 crore. As per the JNNURM rules, the Centre will provide 50% of the funds for the project to GVMC, while the state government will contribute 20% and remaining 30% will be borne by GVMC, he said.

GVMC will earn nearly Rs 12 crore annually by way of water charges if the project turns into a reality, the civic chief said, adding that a secretary level officer from the urban development department at Delhi will be visiting the city soon to review the project in detail and will meet with the people and local representatives.