Ulsoor Lake revamp gets Rs 82 crore boost with Kalyani, walkways and water-cleaning upgrades
BENGALURU: The historic Ulsoor Lake is set for revamp at an estimated budget of Rs 82 crore. Bengaluru Central City Corporation, under which the water body falls, will have a Kalyani (temple pond) with an artistic touch that will have ritual points and an elevated viewing deck. The revamp includes an open air theatre, shaded walkways and landscaping. According to an official from VIMOS, an environmental engineering and water purification system firm that jointly developed the design and Detailed Project Report (DPR) along with Prestige Group, said that under the 15th finance component, Rs 25 crore was released for the contractor who is executing the work, and the Gabion Wall in Phase-1 is almost complete. So far Rs 9.5 crore has been spent on the wall. The upper level of the northern part of the lake will have a walkway made out of gravel, and at the edge of the lake premises, concrete up to three feet will be added and grill fencing will be installed. The Minor Irrigation department has released Rs 40 crore for water management. Apart from that, the state government has released Rs 20 crore. About 98 per cent of the funds mentioned in the DPR are already available, and this will help in the completion of the project at the earliest. By March-end, the development activity at the northern part of Usloor Lake will be completed, and work on the southern side will be taken up, said an engineer from VIMOS. The project includes cleaning the water with level differences introduced for gravity-based filtration using terraced wetlands, bioswales, and cascading pools that naturally cleanse the water. For security, CCTVs will be installed. To prevent floating materials from entering the lake through the drain from the MEG side, a trash barrier will be installed. The islands will be developed, and plants will be added. The place will not be used for any recreation activity and restricted for humans, said the engineer. The official also added that the Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority (KTCDA) has given its approval for developmental activities like bund strengthening, retaining walls, and others hence, there is no hurdle for development.
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