Hesarghatta lake to get new lease of life

Hesarghatta lake to get new lease of life
Times of India

Bangalore: After pulling out water hyacinth from Ulsoor lake, the Corps of Engineers (COE) is moving a batch of trainees to Hesarghatta lake banks for cleaning up the tank bed. The almost dead lake is likely to see new lease of life once the cleaning is completed.

“About 40-50 trainees will camp there for a year. We’ll move our bulldozers, motor graders and earth movers to the spot within a week to start cleaning the 40-50 km basin area,’’ Brig. J.J. Manavalan, MEG commandant, told The Times of India.

The COE that used to conduct ‘watermanship’ training in the Ulsoor lake plans to move to a larger water body like Hesarghatta lake once the cleaning is completed. “We’re looking for a larger water body and we happen to hit some history. Hesarghatta lake was home to a big sailing club during the British era. Till two years ago our trainees used that lake. But then the water level dropped and now it is dry. Our work should revive the lake,’’ added Singh.

On Thursday, COE celebrated its 224th Raising Day. Wreaths were laid on war memorials. Major COE activities got a mention on the occasion. Prominent among them — fencing 750-km along the LoC in less than a year — helped reduce infiltration.

In the army, COE plays the role of breaching enemy minefields. It has the responsibility of building bridges when the army hits a water body.