BBMP to restore and develop 69 lakes in 2023-24

The BBMP has 201 lakes under its ambit and of these, it plans to restore and carry out developmental activities at 69 lakes in 2023-24.

It has already initiated development work at 25 lakes and will float tender for the development and rejuvenation of 13 other lakes (Express)

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The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has sought Rs 67 crore from the Karnataka government to carry out annual maintenance, minor repairs, and for the development and rejuvenation of 69 lakes under its jurisdiction, according to documents accessed by The Indian Express. It has claimed to have restored 63 lakes under its jurisdiction at a cost of Rs 345.85 crore between 2019 and 2022.

The BBMP has 201 lakes under its ambit and of these, it plans to restore and carry out developmental activities at 69 lakes in 2023-24. It has already initiated development work at 25 lakes and will float tender for the development and rejuvenation of 13 other lakes. Apart from these, the civic body will restore 31 lakes this financial year.

“Of 201 lakes in our custody, 182 exist presently and the others were encroached on and are now being used for other purposes like residential premises or a government building. Of 182 lakes, 80 lakes have been developed by us. The development work includes desilting, fencing, sewage diversion, bund formation, inlet and outlet construction, and pathway formation. Regular maintenance is being done to keep these lakes alive and functional. In the last financial year 2022-23, under the Chief Minister’s Amrutha Nagarothanna Grant of Rs. 244.25 crores, the improvement of 41 partially developed lakes and 26 undeveloped lakes were taken up. Boundaries of 100 lakes have been demarcated and secured by fencing. It is now planned to fence all the remaining lakes with proper demarcation, in order to avoid any kind of encroachment and stop dumping of garbage inside the lake premises,” a senior official from BBMP requesting anonymity said.

“We are also planning to install sluice gates at all major lakes of the city at a cost of Rs 36.85 crores, to avoid local flooding. Also, more focus shall be paid on scientific ways of maintenance and development along with more attention to the biodiversity and ecosystem of the lakes. For the year 2023-24, we have sought Rs. 67.00 crores, which include annual maintenance, minor repairs, and comprehensive plan preparation for development and rejuvenation of all the lakes in BBMP,” the official added.

Lakes to be developed in the year 2023-24

Chikka Begur lake

Bellahalli lake

Srinivasapura Kere lake

Konasandra lake lake

Sompura lake

Sitaram Palya lake

Nyanappanahalli lake

Pattanagere/ Kenchenhalli lake

Subedaranakere lake

Varahasandra lake

Chikkammanahalli lake