Nirmala Sitharaman's magic touch: Kalena Agrahara Lake to be revived by March next

Bengaluru: Kalena Agrahara Lake off Bannerghatta Road will be rejuvenated, tentatively by March next year, said Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman, here on Saturday.

The minister, who was willing to offer MPLADS (MP Local Area Development Scheme) funds for the project, discussed the process of rejuvenation with the area residents, members of a committee comprising BBMP Commissioner Manjunath Prasad, Lake Development Authority CEO Vidyasagar, Bangalore Political Action Committee (BPAC) and others.

“We gave the minister a shortlist of lakes that would suit the budget and with an area of intervention with no significant encroachment. This lake, being manageable, can be completed within six months to one year to stand as a model as we move to bigger projects,” said Revathy Ashok, CEO, BPAC.

The lake will undergo the process of bone-drying after which the sludge will be removed to create bunds. A walkway that will allow water to permeate through it is also to be constructed. A digital board will be set up to indicate the toxin levels in the water, tested once a month, which will allow the citizens to alert the authorities, ensuring the sustenance of the rejuvenated lake.

The Kalena Agrahara Lake Association, a citizen initiative, has been active for over a decade now and has been consistent in independently collecting funds to restore the lake. “We have spent lakhs of rupees in the past to remove the weed and regularly maintain the lake. We also have STPs in our buildings and release only treated water into the lake with BBMP’s permission,” said Association president s Asha Naik.