BENGALURU: It has been close to three years that encroachments were cleared near Sarakki lake after a High Court order in 2014, but the lake is yet to regain its glory.
In April 2015, the deputy commissioner and his officials conducted a massive encroachment clearance drive and razed down structures built on the lake bed. Between 2015 and 2016, the responsibility of who will take care of the lake was changed at least four times - from BDA to BBMP and vice versa. Finally, in 2016, the lake was handed over to the BBMP. In 2017, the Palike called for tender from contractors to remove weeds and fence the area.
BBMP officials blame the recent rains for the delay in works. Swapna, ward engineer of Sarakki said, “We started the work two months ago, but due to heavy rains, we could not take up the work. Work was started again after the rains stopped. We need at least nine months to complete the work. If there is good rain next year, hopefully Sarakki lake will be filled again.”
When Express visited the lake on Wednesday, weeeds were being removed. “We are almost done with the fencing. We need to remove the debris and also divert the sewage that is coming from nearby apartments,” Swapna added.
This delay in restoring the lake has led to subsequent encroachments in the area. Chandrashekariah, a resident of JP Nagar 7th Phase, said, “It has become an unauthorised parking lot where many travel company buses, goods vehicles and other vehicles are parked.”
Poornachandra, another resident, said, “The authorities concerned clear the weeds in the morning, but people dump garbage here during the night. If this continues, how can the lake ever be restored?”