BANGALORE: Lakshmanamurthy Nagar Lake known as Koudenahalli Kere in Vijanapura Ward, filled with hyacinth and silt, can probably be considered as a classic example of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanahagara Palike’s (BBMP) level of negligence. The lake has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes thus causing health problems for the residents of Lakshmanamurthy Nagar.The stench that emanates from the stagnated and dirty water pushes people to dig for their handkerchief to cover their nose. “Many of us suffer from fever and other illness due to mosquitoes and unhygienic conditions prevalent at this lake. We cannot stand in front of our homes during the evening even for a while due to the mosquito menace. We expect the BBMP authorities to do the needful,’’ said Anasuya Satyanarayan, a housewife. The rejuvenation of the lake would be a boon for not only Lakshmanamurthy Nagar but also water-starved areas such as Kalkere and Ramamurthy Nagar. The ground water table has touched rock bottom due to the absence of water bodies around. “The desilting of the lake would increase the water table in this area and thus the residents will not have to struggle for potable water,’’ said a resident on the condition of anonymity. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has finished laying the pipes for the diversion of sewage water. Many consider it as the right time for the BBMP to take up desilting of the lake. “I have already submitted a proposal to desilt the lake and put up a fence around it almost 10 months ago, but the BBMP is yet to take up the work,’’ said Sugumar, corporator, Vijanapura ward. It was alleged that five acres of lake land has been encroached by slum-dwellers. As if this was not bad enough, there is a primary school that has been built on the lake bund thus, encroaching 35 guntas of land. It was also alleged that even the ITI had encroached 45 guntas of the lake. “The need of the hour is to take measures to prevent people from encroaching the remaining portion of the lake,’’ said another resident on the condition of anonymity. Sugumar also said that the area around the lake would be an ideal place for people to go for a walk. “Most people here are from economically weaker backgrounds and they lack awareness on physical fitness. I want the BBMP to develop a pathway on the lake bund for their benefit,’’ he said. Meanwhile, B V Sateesh, chief engineer (Lakes), BBMP, has said that the proposal has been sent to the Lake Development Authority. “We will start the work as soon as we get a feed back from them,” he said.
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