Lakes in city to get new lease of life

Lakes in city to get new lease of life



Express News Service First Published : 27 May 2009 04:42:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 27 May 2009 08:48:28 AM IST
BANGALORE: In an effort to bring back Bangalore’s past glory as the city of lakes, the state government is taking up rejuvenation of 33 lakes in the city at a cost of Rs 294 crore.Of the total 33 lakes, BDA will develop 12 lakes, while rest of the lakes will be developed by BBMP.
The government is trying to get funds from the Centre for the programme under JNNURM.
Bangalore South MP and ABIDE vice president H N Ananth Kumar, along with ministers Katta Subramanya Naidu and R Ashok held a meeting with the BBMP and BDA officials in this regard on Tuesday.
Later speaking to reporters, Ananth Kumar said that Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa will inaugurate the programme on Wednesday at Ullalu satellite town.
Lakes that are being taken up for rejuvenation in the first phase include Jakkur, Sampigehalli and Rachehalli lakes in Arkavathy Layout, Kothanur lake in Anjanapura, Talaghattapura, Konasandra and Somapura lakes in Banashankari 6th stage, besides Mallathahalli, Ullalu, Ramasandra and Kammaraghatta lakes in Sir M Vishveshwaraiah Layout.
Rejuvenation of lakes includes desilting of lake bed, putting up silt traps and screen barriages to avoid silt formation, removal of encroachments on the lake beds, strengthening embakments, stopping the flow of sewerage water into lakes, besides creating lung space and pathway around the lakes.
On leasing out lakes to private players, minister Naidu said that the government would never lease out or privatise lakes in future and those which were already leased out would be taken back. "We have already sought the opinion of the advocate general in this regard,’’ he added.