Ulsoor lake’s never ending woes

Ulsoor lake is a famed land mark for many Bangaloreans. Soon it may be a case of ‘has been a famed lake once’, despite periodical proclamation of the powers that be about restoring the old glory and beauty to it. Forget restoring, there is no such thing as preventing further damage even. The lake is getting contaminated everyday due to the inflow of sewage from the surrounding residential areas and leaving thousands of fish gasping for breath.

Not one but three major open drains are linked to the lake. The water in the lake stinks and is clogged with sewage waste. With premonsoon and monsoon showers, it will only mean more garbage and dirty water getting into the lake.

According to the Madras Engineering Group and Centre, which has voluntarily taken up the responsibility of cleaning the tank, two major open sewage have been connected to the lake. Further the underground sewage system runs parallel to the lake and some times the overflowing sewage is also diverted to the lake via open drain.

This unending flow of untreated effluent and sewage discharge takes its toll on the aquatic lif The sewage flows to the lake all the way from ITI layout, Assaya Road, Cox Town, Fraser Town, Pottery Road, Kambi Bridge and Devarajeevanahalli. Angry over the apathy of the civic authorities, MEG officials say “Since the departments concerned are not taking the needed initiative, we are being burdened with the cleaning process just because we use the lake for practicing purpose. But we are trying our best to keep the lake clean within our limitations.” The boundary between lake and sewage flow is just a concrete platform which is almost filled and about to flow into the lake in few days. Already scores of fishes have died due to decreasing oxygen level.

Even though the state government and other organisations like Ulsoor Lake Foundation came up with a project to conserve the lake, the execution seems to have been aborted. People living around the lake have become helpless spectators over the dying lake. Sunita Sharma, a resident near RBANM college opposite the lake says “There is no outlet for the drainage water once it flows into the lake. The area near the Ganapathy temple and next to MEG & Centre stinks a lot. Since city drainage runs into th lake it makes the water stink. During monsoons, it is difficult to even sit at home. “ Ashok and Meera Raghavan regularly go for a walk around the lake. Meera says, “Areas opposite Photoflash, RBANMS school and next to corporation swimming pool stink a lot. The untreated water from the swimming pool also gets diverted into the lake.” Manav Suri, an engineer and a resident, says, “The Corporation swimming pool is now frequented by youngsters due to summer holidays. I have seen people throwing bottles and plastics from the pool side to the lake. It is not only the authorities concern but as public we too should understand the value of the lake.” When contacted over the condition of the lake, The Lake Development Authority Chairperson B K Singh said “It is common that during the first showers the entire organic matter, city garbage and bodies of animals and birds flood into the lake. But we have taken measures to divert the sewage water from the lake through a separate canal.” The ground reality at the lake, however, makes one sceptical of such assurances.

Sewage water Lake water

Unhindered flow of sewage from ITI Layout, Assaya Road and surroundings has polluted the lake so much that its aquatic life is at risk and instances of fish deaths are common.