BENGALURU: As part of an initiative to revive 29 lakes for recharging the city’s groundwater levels and decrease the dependency on Cauvery water, Hosakerehalli Lake in Banashankari Stage III is undergoing revival at a cost of Rs 9.4 crores. The project started last August and is expected to be completed in the next five to six months.
The BDA has handed over 44 acres to a private agency for the lake’s revival. Desilting work, removal of waste, stoppage of sewage inflows, the creation of two islands and a walking track is almost complete. However, approval for design changes to protect a Chola monument has delayed the project.
The discovery of a stone structure dating back to Chola times (in January this year) while removing silt and weed in the lake, necessitated a few changes in the design which was suggested by the local elected representatives.
Once a pristine water body of 59.26 acres and surrounded by the scenic Hanumagiri Hills, the lake was degraded by the inflow of sewage water from residential areas such as Jayanagar, Basavanagudi, Chikkallasandra, Ittamadu and Banashankari. Dumping of plastic and construction debris was also a regular feature.
“Unfortunately, even with the ongoing revival works, residents still continue to throw waste into the lake despite big banners warning people not to do so,” said Murthy, a resident.
According to BDA officials, 80 percent of the desilting work has been completed with more than two lakh cubic metres of silt removed to a depth of 3m. As the lake had not been desilted for 30 years, it was covered with plastic, clothing material and other waste to a depth of nearly 3ft.
BDA assistant executive engineer Mohan Lal said, “Desilting work will be over in another two months. However, our works got delayed by the discovery of a historical monument. Now to protect this structure, we are planning to build a retaining wall. A few design changes have been incorporated and this has to be approved.”
All encroachments have been marked by the Bengaluru Urban DC department and they have to remove an encroachment of 1.5 acres on a stormwater drain near Hosakerehalli bus stop. Another 2.5 acres encroached by private residences have to be cleared.
“The encroachment on the stormwater drain has to be cleared first. Once the encroachments are removed and the land handed over to us, we will take up rest of the work, including fencing the lake. BWSSB will set up two STPs of 2-3 MLD capacity.”
Bengaluru Rural MP D K Suresh, who has been taking a personal interest in the revival of this lake, said, “We have to ensure the inflow of rainwater into the lake, otherwise there is no point in reviving. We can’t just on recycling of sewage water for recharging groundwater levels.”
He added, “Works got delayed because of encroachments and fund constraints but now we are targeting the works to be completed in six months. Once these works are completed and both rain and recycled water flow into the lake, borewells in and around 5km will be recharged.”