Walkers exercised over state of Sankey Tank

Walkers exercised over state of Sankey Tank

Staff Reporter

It is being maintained by the Horticultural Department

‘Officials always plead shortage of funds’

Association has submitted a list of 20 demands

Bangalore: Demanding that the Sankey Tank and park continue to remain breathing spaces for the city through improved maintenance, the Sankey Park Walkers’ Association has accused the bureaucracy of failure on this front.

“The maintenance of the lake and park is given to the Horticultural Department. Whenever we approach them, we are told that the files are with the Project Department of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP),” says B. Vijaykumar, Secretary, Sankey Park Walkers’ Association.

“On approaching them we are always told that there is a shortage of funds and so on,” he says.
Demands

First among their demands is the cleaning and repair of sewage water that has begun to seep into the tank and has led to the death of fish as well as underwater plants.

The other demands such as six inches of sand be placed in the children’s playing area have not been fulfilled, he says.

“This has led to many children falling down and hurting their jaws and fracturing their limbs,” says association member G. Sreenivas.
Track

The 55-acre tank has a 2-km walking track, which was re-laid five years ago at a cost of Rs. 5 crore.

According to the members of the association, it has worn out now, causing one death and many injuries over the past year — especially amongst senior citizens.

“The tracks are undulating and the tree stumps have not been removed. People often trip over them owing to poor lighting,” says Mr. Srinivas.
Security

Other demands such as elevated pedestrian crossing, humps on the roads surrounding the tank, increased security are going to be presented.
Apartment

“A private apartment was going to come up close to the tank and would certainly dig into the water table of surrounding areas causing the tank’s water level to come down. We opposed this with a signature campaign and the construction has been stalled as of now,” say members of the association.
List

A list of these demands has been placed at the Malleswaram and Sadashivnagar entrances of the park and the members had been promised that most demands would be fulfilled by November this year.

However, only three out of 20 demands have been looked into.

“There are very few lung spaces left in the city and we would like to preserve this one so our children can enjoy it as well,” says Mr. Vijaykumar.