Lakes of Bengaluru: Lack of maintenance, encroachment of buffer zone continue at Vibhutipura Lake

As per the Koliwad committee report, more than three acre of the lake has been encroached.

Till 2010, the lake was with the forest department before being handed over to the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) a year later. (Express Photo by Jithendra M.)

In 2012, a citizens’ collective, Vibhutipura Kere Abhivruddhi Mattu Samrakshane Samiti (VIKAS), was formed to protect the lake. In 2017, an NGO, United Bengaluru, visited the lake along with freedom fighter H S Doreswamy and filed a complaint at HAL police station against the encroachment of the lake and entry of sewage into the water body.

In 2012, over 500 residents participated in a walkathon highlighting the deteriorating condition of the lake.

Till 2010, the lake was with the forest department before being handed over to the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) a year later. In 2019, the BDA handed over the lake’s custody to the BBMP.

In 2019, the BDA handed over the lake’s custody to the BBMP. (Express Photo by Jithendra M.)

While the BDA revived the lake at a cost of Rs 2.65 crore in 2012, the situation did not improve as sewage continued to enter the lake from nearby slums. In 2017, the rejuvenation of the lake was taken up by the BBMP at a cost of Rs 3 crore. However, untreated sewage continued to enter the lake.

In 2019, the Lokayukta court directed the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and the BBMP storm water drain wing to take steps to prevent discharge of untreated sewage into the lake. It also directed the authorities to fence the lake.

In 2021, the BBMP allocated Rs 4 crore to not only restore the lake but also construct a sewage treatment plant (STP). The work with regards to the STP is ongoing.

In 2021, the BBMP allocated Rs 4 crore to not only restore the lake but also construct a sewage treatment plant (STP). The work with regards to the STP is ongoing. (Express Photo by Jithendra M.)

Biplab Saha, a member of VIKAS, said that the major issue with the lake presently is the dumping of discarded household items. “There are only two home guards for the overall security of this huge lake. There are no CCTV cameras for monitoring. One part of the lake is accessible round the clock because the fence is broken,” Saha said.

“In the last one decade, VIKAS has done tremendous work for the lake. If there is enough water in the lake, the apartments which are dependent on the borewells will have water throughout the year,” he added.

Though the BBMP has banned idol immersion in the lakes, a huge broken idol was dumped in the lake recently. Flowers and coconut shells among other puja paraphernalia are also found in the lake. (Express Photo by Jithendra M.)

However, the walkways are broken and the buffer zone of the lake is encroached. There are buildings which have come up in the buffer zone of the lake. Though the BBMP has banned idol immersion in the lakes, a huge broken idol was dumped in the lake recently. Flowers and coconut shells among other puja paraphernalia are also found in the lake.

Last week, a 33-year-old man drowned in the lake raising concerns about the broken fences along the waterbody.

“I recently shifted to the area. I believe the civic body must give attention to maintaining the lake. The walk path is not only dirty but the tiles on the path have not been laid as well. Measures must be taken so that garbage is not dumped into the lake. Moreover, security at the lake is not adequate,” Nishant Anand, a resident living nearby said.