Bengaluru: Bengaluru Development Authority's (BDA) Herculean drive to remove weeds from Bellandur Lake continued for the second day on Tuesday. The move follows direction by the Principal Bench of National Green Tribunal, Delhi and this is the first such clean up drive after 50 years.
Currently two earth movers have been deployed for the purpose and boats are expected to join in later.
The team is now only able remove weeds on the lake periphery as earth movers cannot go into deep waters.
According to sources, it would take at least three days for the boats to arrive from the Delhi and after that deweeding is expected to be taken up in full swing. The clean-up drive would be tentatively a six-month long process.
Rafi, the crane operator said, "It is difficult for the JCB to go into the water. They can go up to 15-20 metres into the lake and beyond that it is dangerous."
He claimed there were a lot of mosquitoes in that area and the stench was unbearable. It is estimated that the lake is currently filled with around 2 ft deep silt underwater.
For the safety of nearby residents and shopkeepers a protective covering was spread to keep mosquitoes and froth at bay.
However, froth continues to remain stagnant on one part of the lake, while on the other side, it is being driven towards Marathahalli.
After the removal of weeds, aerators will be installed to purify the water and restore the ecosystem.
