BENGALURU: The Kalena Agrahara Lake off Bannerghatta Road was once an illegal dump yard with continuous inflow of raw sewage and marred by multiple issues. But thanks to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the water body is now brimming with life.
The once majestic lake was dying a slow death, when rejuvenation work began in 2017. Sitharaman, who was elected Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka, released Rs 75 lakh from her MPLADS to fund the lake’s revival.
Sharing an update on the lake’s restoration on her social media on Sunday, along with other developmental works taken up through her MPLADS funds in Karnataka, the minister said the Kalena Agrahara Lake’s restoration has delivered significant environmental, social and urban resilience benefits.
The lake, spread across 7.3 acres, has a length of 278 metre (main bund). The MPLADS funds were utilised for the removal of sludge from the lake bed to enhance the impounding capacity, strengthening of the main bund and formation of the ring bund using desilted earth, including revetment and turfing.
“Ecologically, the rejuvenation improved water quality through sewage diversion and natural filtration, revived native aquatic and bird biodiversity, and strengthened groundwater recharge in surrounding neighbourhoods,” Sitharaman said. From an urban sustainability perspective, she said the lake now acts as a flood buffer during heavy monsoon, reducing runoff pressure on city drains.
“Socially, the restored lake has emerged as a community green space, supporting recreation, walking and environmental awareness, while also moderating local microclimate and improving air quality,” she said.