Lakes of Bengaluru: BBMP’s ‘half-hearted work’ besets historic Kalkere Lake

In the run-up to the state elections in 2018, former town planning minister KJ George announced that the state government has revived the lake.

“BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) revives Kalkere Lake near Ramamurthy Nagar which it started two years ago. Previously, sewage water was entering the lake from Horamavu, Hebbal and Nagawara. To prevent it, BWSSB (Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board) had set up a sewage treatment plant near Horamavu,” George told the media in March 2018.

The residents say that though some improvements were carried out with the help of corporate houses, much more needs to be done to stop the inflow of sewage into the lake. (Express Photo by Jithendra M)

While the lake was developed at a cost of Rs 22 crore in September 2018, it was soon seen spewing toxic froth. Locals claim that even today sewage enters the lake. Moreover, the lake also witnessed several incidents of fish kill.

The residents say that though some improvements were carried out with the help of corporate houses, much more needs to be done to stop the inflow of sewage into the lake.

Selvarasu M, a local, says: “While work at the lake in the recent past is showing improvements, still a lot needs to be done. Corporates took several measures such as improving the landscape, and development of walkways, among others… It is time to bring a strategy of source segregation. This means that untreated sewage water from each building is moved to the sewage treatment plant through the UGD (underground drainage) line. Therefore, we will only be treating the untreated sewage without mixing it with the stormwater.”

Another resident, Naveen Kumar, says: “The BBMP did not restore the lake properly. Sewage lines need to be diverted from the lake so that untreated sewage does not enter the lake. The lake is not fenced as well. Therefore, it is not secure. Since the lake is contaminated due to the inflow of sewage, the water is not fit for even aquatic life. The problem aggravates during monsoon as the untreated sewage enters the lake through the inlet connected to the stormwater drain. There is an algal bloom in the lake.”