City’s lakes to get new life

City’s lakes to get new life
Deccan herald

The lakes in Bangalore, at least some of them, are on their way to rejuvenation. Under the adopt a lake and expression of interest schemes of the Lake Development Authority (LDA) three lakes in Bangalore have been adopted and one taken up on expression of interest for development and maintenance.

The Mahadevapura, Kundalahalli and Challakere lakes have been given away under the ‘Adopt a Lake’ policy to get them desilted, their bunds strengthened, catchment area improved and fenced.

Hebbal lake, meanwhile, has been tendered to the East India Hotels of the Oberoi chain of hotels under expression of interest to undertake eco-development activities at the lake.

Under this scheme, East India Hotels will be permitted to operate recreational facilities like boating, floating restaurant, open air restaurant and parks while ensuring rejuvenation and maintenance of the lake. The project is estimated at Rs 16.75 crore and is expected to be completed in one year’s time.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Chief Executive Officer of LDA B K Singh said the above schemes were designed in an attempt to rope in public and private partnership in protection and conservation of lakes.

“It was a tough bid for the Hebbal lake but based on the facility for sewage treatment, the tender was given to the East India Hotels group,” he said adding that work on all these lakes is set to begin shortly.

The Hebbal lake has been in the spotlight for its deterioration as a waterbody despite being a source of drinking water once and home to several migratory birds.

Though it was rejuvenated by the Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment two years ago, under the Indo-Norwegian Environment Programme, the condition of the lake deteriorated due to lack of maintenance subsequently. “Through the expression of interest scheme, we hope to ensure proper maintenance of the lake while at the same time make it possible for the developer to get revenue out of maintenance,” Mr Singh said.

Lake Adopted by Development cost

Mahadevapura Abhishek

Developers Rs 1.6 crore

Kundalahalli Kalyani

Developers Rs 1.79 crore

Challakere Royal Concorde

Education Trust Rs 89 lakh

Hebbal East India Hotels

(expression

of interest) Rs 16.75 crore