A new lease of life for 27 lakes

A new lease of life for 27 lakes


Express News Service
First Published : 23 Oct 2008 06:13:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 23 Oct 2008 10:58:55 AM IST

BANGALORE: While asserting that it is opposed to privatisation of lakes in the city, the state government is all geared up to rejuvenate 27 lakes in the first phase.

To begin with, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa will kick-start the rejuvenation work of Dorekere lake near Padmanabhanagar on October 26, said Transport Minister R Ashok. The government has allotted Rs 1.5 crore to rejuvenate the Dorekere lake.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function to lay the foundation for 'Therige Bhavan' of the Commercial Tax Officials Association on Wednesday, Ashok said that in the first phase 27 lakes in Bangalore would be rejuvenated at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore to Rs 2 crore each in one year.

He said that rejuvenation of lakes included desilting, diversion of sewage and other processes. He clarified that no entry fee for the lakes would be collected from the public. “We are not into profit making. Instead, we want to save the lakes and make Bangalore cleaner and more beautiful,” Ashok asserted.

He further said that the government was against privatisation of lakes. He said that they would not allow private parties to rejuvenate or maintain lakes. Instead, government agencies like BDA, BBMP and BMRDA would do the job.

Referring to three lake - Agara lake, Hebbal lake and Venkayyanakere lake - which have already been given to private parties for maintenance, the Minister alleged that half-an-acre which belonged to Hebbal lake had been encroached upon by the private party concerned. “We will soon arrive at a decision on withdrawing the permission to the private party,” he added.

The Minister added that they were planning to utilise lake water for drinking purposes.

“Bangalore is facing water scarcity and cleaning these lakes will provide drinking water. However, it is a long process that will take many years,” he added.