Benniganahalli Lake gets second shot at life

By Y Maheswara Reddy

BBMP has cleaned and developed this 10-acre lake at the cost of Rs 3 crore

The Benniganahalli Lake situated opposite Pai Layout near Old Madras Road is set to regain its lost glory. The lake spread over around 10 acres has been a blot on the landscape for the residents of Pai Layout, Benniganahalli, A Narayanapura and other areas because it was stinking and full of weeds.

But the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has taken up the development of the lake at an estimated cost of Rs 3 crore. The cleaning of silt and weeds began in March 2018 and was expected to be completed in 20 days.

“We have to appreciate the BBMP authorities for developing this lake that has been neglected for quite a long time. Once, the lake was a favourite destination for walkers in the morning and evening but later they stopped visiting this lake due to the pollution,’’ says Lakshmipathi M, a resident of Benniganahalli.

According to the BBMP authorities, the lake was developed by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) around two decades ago. “The BDA had handed over the lake to the BBMP in 2016. It was in a bad shape, filled with sewage and weeds,’’ says BBMP Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Jagannatha Rao T.

All these years, sewage from nearby layouts would flow into the lake, said a BBMP source. Sources said the BDA had developed this lake but had forgotten to divert the sewage flowing into the lake. “There was an attempt to revive the lake more than 15 years ago. Many social activists and local leaders organised a meeting on the lake bund. The volunteers even cleared the weeds from the lake bund but the authorities did nothing to desilt the lake,’’ says Elumalai S, a resident of Pai Layout.



Now, the BBMP authorities have completed the desilting of the lake and also diverted the sewage flow which was the main cause for the pollution of the lake. “We have constructed a 700-metre sewer line to prevent sewage flowing into the lake,’’ says Jagannatha Rao.

As of now, the civic body has been focusing on cleaning all the dirt from the lake. It is now planning to add amenities like toilets and benches, but not plant saplings. “There is no need for planting saplings since there are well-grown trees on the lake bund. We may take up the construction of toilets and installing concrete benches for the benefit of senior citizens who come here for a stroll in the morning or evening,’’ says Rao.

Around eight acres of lake land is separated by the railway line. The land is full of sewage and weeds. It will be an eyesore for visitors to the lake. “We are expecting the lake land to be developed under a Smart City project. If not, the BBMP itself will develop it next year,’’ says Rao.