As BDA, BBMP fight, lake dies a slow death
BBMP Executive Engineer (lakes) Sapna said, Venkateshpura lake is not under the BBMP. BDA must officially handover the lake to us.
Bengaluru: While there is lot of public awareness regarding revival of some well known lakes in the city, there are numerous lesser known water bodies whose very existence is in danger and little is being done to salvage them.
One such lake is Venkateshpura lake near Jakkur. The local residents call it an ‘orphan lake’, because both the civic agencies, namely BDA and BBMP, have refused to own it, which has affected its revival. There are over 60 such orphan lakes in the city.
The BDA maintains that the lake was handed over to the BBMP after it carried out rejuvenation works in 2012-2013, whereas BBMP refutes the argument saying the lack of grants is the biggest impediment in taking the custody of the lake.
While the two civic agencies pass the buck, the lake has been encroached upon and become a hotbed for anti-social activities. The residents fear that if the civic agencies do not take the custody of Venkateshpura lake, it would be subjected to further encroachment by the builders.
However, BBMP Executive Engineer (lakes) Sapna said, “Venkateshpura lake is not under the BBMP. BDA must officially handover the lake to us.”
Citing the example of Jakkur Lake, which was rejuvenated by the BBMP, Sapna further added that if funds are allocated for the restoration work, the civic agency would definitely take up the work.
Dr Annapurna, a local resident, seconded BBMP’s official line that the lake is yet to be transferred to the civic agency by the BDA.
Meanwhile, the residents have taken it upon themselves to rescue the lake. They are even planning to procure a boat to clean up the water body.
“Proper boundaries have to be marked by the revenue department. Sewage water enters the lake and illegal dumping of garbage is rampant in the area,” said Raj, who is involved in the cleaning process.
As for land grab, the residents alleged that it was being carried out with the blessing of politicians. If the charges are not properly investigated, yet another lake would become endangered, they added.