BANGALORE: Ulsoor Lake, one of the oldest lakes in Bangalore, was not only a hit with families, but a great pull for joggers. Its central location, boating facilities, and general popularity had prompted the government to spend Rs 10 crore for its restoration in 2003.
People from all the surrounding areas were happy when the authorities concerned made arrangements for a jogging track on the lakebed.
The authorities had also taken measures to prevent the sewage flowing into the lake by establishing sedimentation tanks.
A happy story so far. However, like every other story in this series, Ulsoor Lake too, has fallen victim to the same tragic twist of fate--official apathy. The jogger community of Ulsoor, now hesitates to keep up their run from one end to the other (from the Ganesh Temple side to the Ulsoor Gurudwara).
REASON: The stench from the stagnant water that is mixed with sewage. Expresso caught a few joggers early morning, who explained their plight. “I prefer to cut my jogging in the middle of the track to avoid the stink,” says A Nagaraj, a senior citizen from Cox Town. “I do not know why the authorities neglect Bangalore East,” says NS Ravi, president, Bharathinagar Residents’ Welfare Association. The sight at Ulsoor Lake is self explanatory: Garbage lies in heaps near the immersion tank and plastic bottles and covers float in the lake. “I am not able to bring my children here even though they would have liked to come. I have been thinking of going to Cubbon Park instead,’’ says Ravi Tainwala, a jogger.
“The officials concerned do not even ensure that the surroundings are clean. There is a public toilet on the lake bund, but it has not been inaugurated yet,” says Syed, another jogger.
A jogger Thomas Oommen says that the authorities do not even make an effort to prevent dumping of garbage here. “The BBMP officials can ensure cleanliness and stop irresponsible citizens from throwing garbage into the lake.
Even the security people near the lake just prefer to take it easy,’’ says Oommen.
Some joggers suggest that the BBMP hand over the maintenance of the lake to private parties.
“Let them hand over the maintenance of lake to residents’ welfare associations,’’ says Major Prakash.
It was learnt that MLA R Roshan Baig spent Rs 28 lakh to put up permanent grills at the immersion tank to prevent incidents of drowning during immersion of idols. However, neither MLA Baig nor BBMP Commissioner Bharatlal Meena were available for comments.
m maheswarareddy@expressbuzz.com