Bengaluru: While most the BBMP infrastructure works either remain on paper or get completed behind the schedule, due to lack of funds, here is a peculiar situation where the funds have been sanctioned, but there is no plan! In a bid to revive the dying Mangammana Palya lake in HSR Layout, the BBMP prepared a detailed project report (DPR) and estimated that the lake rejuvenation will cost Rs 2.5 crore.
The DPR was approved and work order was awarded to a contractor last month. However, in a strange turn of events, when the work was about to begin, the officials realised that the lake could not be rejuvenated as there is no drain outlet to pump out the contaminated water.
Although the BBMP (Lake) officials inspected the lake last week and ordered a lake survey, the zonal officials maintained that there was a drain outlet point, but it was too narrow and could pump out only limited water, which will delay the project. A source close to the officials maintained that the BBMP officials were trying to cover up their faults. The lake could not be rejuvenated until a solution was found to pump out the existing water.
“The BBMP officials are clearly clueless about the rejuvenation works as it is certain that they don’t have a plan. If the lake water is pumped out, all the low-lying areas in Mangammana Palya will be flooded. They can’t risk that and need a different plan. Now, the BBMP officials have planned to conduct a survey and an inspection will be held in this regard on Saturday,” the source said.
Sadly, this lake is the only available lung space in Mangammana Palya neighbourhood as the area lacks parks or any other green cover. Although the residents were happy on hearing that the lake would soon get a facelift, the project has hit hurdles even before it could take off.
