Spread over 114 hectares, Madiwala lake is one of the largest lakes in Bangalore but when it comes to maintenance of the lake, the authorities concerned have completely failed and as a result the surface of the lake is covered with weeds and the surroundings by waste materials.
There was a time when Madiwala lake garnered huge attention as the lake was subjected to intense pollution and there was huge inflow of sewage water. However, thanks to concerned citizens, it was restored in 2008 by the authorities under Indo-Norwegian Environment Programme (INEP). Today, it provides boating facilities from 10 am to 6.30 pm with an entry fee of just `20.
In July 2012, the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) prepared a detailed layout and urban design for the Madiwala cycle track covering a distance of about 5.8 km. The design provides for a cycle track on the Tank Shore Road alongside Madiwala Lake and a 310-metre-long bridge on the north side of Madiwala Lake, connecting Hosur Road. With such developmental activities planned in and around the lake, the authorities are not able to parallely focus on the maintenance of the lake.
The lake, which comes under the administration of Karnataka State Forest Department, has not been able to impress the people in the vicinity with its services. Residents expressed their displeasure in the manner the lake and its surroundings have been maintained so far.
"Where does all the money go? Why is the park not maintained well?" questions Radhika Krishnamurthy, a resident who is also a housewife.
Voicing a similar opinion, Rohit Singh, a resident and an MNC employee says, "We used to come here to play with our friends. But when I visited the lake after three long years, I was taken aback by the way the surroundings have been maintained. Waste materials and plastic was strewn all over. The authorities have completely failed to maintain the lake"