BENGALURU:Ulsoor Lake appears to have been hit worst by the heavy rain that lashed the city during the weekend. On Monday, the lake was a sorry sight with garbage and plastic waste floating all over it.
N S Ravi, president of Bharathinagar Resident Welfare Association and a regular walker in the area, told Express, “The place stinks as sewage has also been let into SWDs, which in turn bring it into the lake. The authorities should ensure that sewage gets diverted and all SWDs are properly fenced so that they are not dirtied by waste.”
He added that BBMP officials should be deputed to clean up the lake as soon as possible.
Ulsoor Lake is spread across 108 acres and has two islands. The BBMP’s Storm Water Drain (SWD) Department had connected two SWDs to the lake for rainwater flow - one which runs from Munireddy Palya to Assaye Road, measuring 4.2 km, and another that comes from Madras Engineering Group, roughly 2 km long. “However, due lack of fencing in a few places along these SWDs, garbage seeped in when it rained,” said Ravindranath, Executive Engineer, Lakes. He said the Palike is contemplating handing over Ulsoor Lake to Prestige Group for development under corporate social responsibility.
“A few officials from Prestige Group had come and conducted a survey. They will have to get approval from their MD before agreeing on an MoU,” Ravindranath said.
CLEAN IT UP: VIJAY BHASKAR
BBMP Administrator T M Vijay Bhaskar said the onus is on the corporation to clear garbage efficiently during rains, and ensure there is no clogging of drains and lakes. “The lake authorities have been asked to depute men to clear waste from the lake,” he said, adding that the Palike would welcome help from corporates under CSR.