A committee led by the Chief Secretary has proposed that 40 lakes in the city be explored as future sources of drinking water. The plan includes submitting a proposal to place these lakes under the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to manage sewage flow and address the city’s water crisis.
Former Chief Secretary Rajneesh Goel and Development Commissioner Shalini Rajneesh identified the lack of sustainable water sources as a major issue. They stressed the need to restore lakes to provide reliable water.
The meeting reviewed a report from the Environment Management and Policy Research Institute (EMPRI) which inventoried 844 lakes in the Bengaluru metropolitan area. Of these, 562 are managed by the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR), 205 by BBMP, 45 by minor irrigation, 13 by the Forest Department, and 4 by the Water Resources Department. The lakes are contaminated by waste and face challenges from encroachment.
Goel directed that 10 interconnecting lakes be identified for immediate restoration, with progress reviewed every 15 days. Funding could come from the BBMP’s Public Licensing Fund, BWSSB Mega City Revolving Fund, Revenue Department’s funds for encroachment removal, zilla panchayat funds, and the AMRUT 2.0 scheme.
It also included five for future water treatment plants, for approval. The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) reported that none of these lakes meet drinking water standards. The ‘Apex Committee’ from 2012 will be reactivated to oversee the restoration efforts.
