1 week Ago
Bengaluru: Madiwala Lake, once a popular destination for boating and leisurely walks, has lost its charm thanks to neglect from BBMP. The lake, which was taken over from the state forest department in Nov 2023, has seen little to no maintenance over the past two years, leading to its deterioration. The waterbody is now covered with hyacinth, and the walkways that used to draw morning walkers and joggers are filled with dry leaves and mushy soil.
Overflowing dustbins add to the depressing environs. Naveen Reddy, a resident of BTM Layout who has been visiting the lake since childhood, expressed disappointment over BBMP's inaction. "Despite multiple complaints from residents, no substantial efforts have been made to restore the lake's beauty.
Boats, which once served as a major attraction for visitors, are now rusting, contributing further to the pollution," said Reddy. According to locals, the lake has seen hardly any maintenance since BBMP assumed control. Plastic bottles, packets, and other waste is only piling up on the banks.
Volunteers occasionally clean the walking paths, but lack of consistent upkeep is a major concern. Guna Teja Verma, a frequent visitor to the lake, said "I've been unable to enjoy my morning walks and evening runs because of the poor condition of the pathways. One has to constantly worry about stepping on snakes or rodents hiding beneath dry leaves and litter.
" BBMP's chief engineer of lakes Vijaykumar Haridas defended the the civic body's efforts, saying work has been ongoing for the past two years to improve the lake's condition. He emphasised that maintaining a lake of this size takes time, but acknowledged residents' frustrations. "The approval process for cleaning the lake has been completed and Rs 15 crore has been allocated for cleaning the lake's periphery, with a separate budget earmarked for de-weeding," he said.
He said new de-weeding machines have been procured to clear the lake of hyacinth, with plans to restore boating facilities soon..
