Karnataka: Shivakumar assures RR Nagar residents that Hoskerehalli Lake will be restored

The BBMP would also take up the work of a retention wall around the lake.

The deputy chief minister visited the lake, and spoke to the residents about the road work that was being carried out.

Related: BBMP says road across Bengaluru’s Hoskerehalli Lake is temporary

A collective to protect the lake

In March, a group of concerned residents staying close to the lake formed a forum, Citizens for Hoskerehalli Lake. Two non-profit organizations, Jhatkaa.org and Namma Bengaluru, too, were part of the collective.

They protested against the authorities for constructing the road through the lake to facilitate connectivity and access to seven acres reportedly owned by an industrialist-cum-politician on the opposite bank.

It was believed that he was planning a high-rise apartment next to the lake. Apprehensions were rife that the influential industrialist could make the BBMP dump tonnes of construction waste into the lake to construct the road in the guise of desilting the waterbody, as the residents were told.

“It all started with the axing of 12 beautiful huge trees in December 2022 on the side of the Hoskerehalli Lake linked by a kutcha road that led to an underpass in the direction of the Mookambika Nagar,” said Rachna Ravikiran, a resident who has been living in the locality since her childhood.

Rachna spoke to Shivakumar and explained the developments. She also told the minister that she was being intimidated whenever she protested against the encroachment of the lake.

Environmental activist Joseph Hoover, the president of the United Conservation Movement (UCM), learned that the road construction was being carried out by keeping the BBMP — the custodian of the lake — in the dark.

Hoover pointed out that the activity was being carried out without issuing any public notice, or inviting tenders, or even issuing work orders. He also confirmed that the lake was scientifically desilted in 2017 and there was no need for repeating it within six years.

He also produced photographs of desilting works carried out in 2017. “If the lake was desilted in 2017, there is no need to do it again in 2023,” Hoover told South First.

Also read: Notice to K’taka minister over construction on Malathalli lake

Contractor ignores protests

Despite protests, the contractor continued dumping debris into the lake at odd hours. Whenever the residents protested, he would temporarily halt the work, only to resume it later.

When the BJP was in power, the BBMP had invited tenders for constructing a retaining wall at a cost of ₹7 crore. Sanction has been accorded for diverting a sewerage drain at a cost of ₹3 crore. A mud road is being laid to facilitate the movement of vehicles involved in the sewage pipe-laying work.

“Once the work is completed, the road will be removed,” BBMP Special Commissioner Ravindra had told South First.

Residents, however, questioned the shoddy work. A resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told South First that the local MLA, Muniratna of the BJP, preferred to carry out the work in a hasty manner while his government was in power.

“What if the newly elected government halts the work was his worry,” the resident added.

However, the Congress government after assuming power, stopped all projects that were being started and carried out by the previous government. Planned projects were also stopped.

Also read: Karnataka PCB flags aquatic life degradation in Bengaluru lakes

Engineers suspended

Earlier this week, Shivakumar ordered the BBMP chief commissioner to suspend the engineers involved in the construction of the road through the Hoskerehalli Lake.

He sought a report on the road construction from Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath, who in turn, directed Chief Commissioner Ravindra, the Special Commissioner of the Projects Department, to submit the report. Ravindra conducted a spot inspection on 23 March.

The chief commissioner sought reports from the engineers concerned, who reported that a 200-metre ramp was being through the middle of the lake, which was not for vehicles to carry heavy machinery, equipment or even desilting.

Executive Engineer HS Megha and Assistant Engineer Shilpa were found guilty of dereliction of duties as they had not obtained a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority (KTCDA). They were suspended earlier this week.

A few residents said that the two engineers were the last in the hierarchy and they were made scapegoats while the big sharks are at large. However, the residents and activists are happy that the dumping of debris has stopped and over Shivakumar’s assurance that the lake would be restored.