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Lumbini Garden shut as Nagawara Lake emptied for desilting, restoration activities
Bengaluru
Bengaluru’s historic and popular tourist destination, Lumbini Garden, has been temporarily closed after Nagawara Lake was completely drained to facilitate desilting and rejuvenation works, catching visitors and nearby residents by surprise.
Residents said the lake had water barely a week ago, making the overnight transformation into a dry lake bed shocking. The sudden closure of the garden, with no visible public notice, triggered confusion and concern among regular visitors. For many locals, the shutdown has revived memories of the long closure during the COVID-19 period, after which the garden remained inaccessible for nearly six years.
“This place used to be a favourite spot for families and children. We came here for recreation and play. Seeing it closed again is upsetting,” said a resident living nearby. Several others said they were unaware of the reasons behind the draining of the lake and feared it could cause long-term ecological damage.
Responding to the concerns, officials of the Garden City of Bengaluru Authority (GBA) clarified that the lake had been intentionally drained as part of a planned restoration project. They said the closure is temporary and aimed at improving the overall health and sustainability of the lake ecosystem.
According to officials, desilting work is currently underway to remove the accumulated sludge from the lake bed. In addition, inflow and outflow channels are being upgraded to ensure better water circulation and prevent stagnation once the lake is refilled. The project also includes strengthening of embankments and other structural improvements within the lake area.
Authorities said comprehensive development activities at Lumbini Garden are expected to take around 15 days. The total cost of the rejuvenation and development project has been estimated at ₹18 crore, covering lake restoration as well as improvements to visitor facilities within the garden.
The lake water was completely released to allow heavy machinery access for cleaning and structural works, officials explained, adding that such measures were necessary for long-term revival rather than cosmetic beautification.
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GBA officials assured that Nagawara Lake and Lumbini Garden will be reopened to the public once the rejuvenation works are completed. They said the lake will return with a refreshed appearance, improved ecology and better amenities for visitors. Until then, public entry will remain restricted in the interest of safety.
