Sompura Lake shocks United Bengaluru

Bengaluru: Lake experts and concerned citizens under the umbrella of United Bengaluru on Saturday inspected Gubbalala, Talaghattapura and Sompura lakes and filed a police complaint at the Talagattapura police station against the release of effluents into the Sompura Lake by a BBMP truck. 

The group, during its earlier inspection, had filed a police complaint against the encroachment at Vasanthpura Kalyani. On Saturday, the experts found that the encroachments have reduced the size of all the three lakes and untreated effluents are let into Talaghattapura and Gubbalala lakes. 

Mr Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Rajya Sabha member and founder trustee, Namma Bengaluru Foundation, urged citizens to reclaim the lakes by reporting encroachments and dumping of debris along lakes. “Public money should be utilised to build sewage and water infrastructure, including protecting and managing lakes, instead of spending money on flyovers and expensive road projects.” Mr Chandrasekhar said that he will pursue serious action against encroachers.

The group noticed that Gubbalala Lake has become a dumping ground and the flow of untreated sewage under the BWSSB water supply line is diverted into the Rajakaluve before letting it into the lake.

Urban expert Ashwin Mahesh lambasted the government for neglecting the water bodies.  “It is unclear who should citizens approach regarding illegal dumping of debris and encroachment of lakes. The Urban Development Department should appoint a nodal agency to look after the lakes,” he said. “There should be an asset register created for every lake and lakes should be handed over from BDA to BBMP. Only then accountability will be fixed,” said Mr S. Vishwanath, a rainwater harvesting expert.  Mr Subbu Hegde, President of the Classic Orchards Property Owners Association, and Shilpa Ganesh, a film producer, said citizens should take it upon themselves to save waterbodies.

Who to approach?
Urban expert Ashwin Mahesh lambasted the government for neglecting the water bodies.  “It is unclear who should citizens approach regarding illegal dumping of debris and encroachment of lakes. The Urban Development Department should appoint a nodal agency to look after the lakes,” he said. “There should be an asset register created for every lake and lakes should be handed over from BDA to BBMP. Only then accountability will be fixed,” said Mr S. Vishwanath, a rainwater harvesting expert.  Mr Subbu Hegde, President of the Classic Orchards Property Owners Association, and Shilpa Ganesh, a film producer, said citizens should take it upon themselves to save waterbodies.