Ulsoor Lake is a mess again

Ulsoor Lake is a mess again
By: Madhusudan ManeyDate: 2008-09-04

Bangalore:
Ulsoor Lake is filled with sewage water, garbage and plastic bottles, and it is stinking You could blame it on the rains, but inconsiderate citizens and poor planning are adding to the problem. In 2003, the BBMP spent about Rs 12 crore on beautification of the lake.

Water was drained out and the lake desilted. But all the good work went down the drain as no steps were taken to stop garbage and sewage from entering the lake. Two major storm water drains are connected to the lake. "For the past few days people have started complaining about the condition of the lake and the stink. Every day hundreds come here for a walk," said a guard at the lake.

BBMP executive engineer Balappa Reddy said, "We have deputed 20 men to clean up the lake and if it doesn't rain for two days we will be able to clean it up completely." The BBMP plans to fix nets to the storm water drains so that plastic bottles and garbage will not flood in."Only when it rains heavily do floating objects enter the lake," Reddy told MiD DAY.

BBMP assistant executive engineer Subhan said, "Right now we are busy with Ganapathi immersions, and in a couple of days everything will be cleaned." He requested citizens not to throw plastic bottles into storm water drains.