The Hesaraghatta lake has turned into a picnic spot, drawing crowds in large numbers. Heavy rainfall in the last two weeks has revived the lake, which has received an additional eight feet of water.
One of the biggest water bodies located 30 km away from the City, the lake was rejuvenated last year, after a gap of six years. Water continues to flow into the lake, though no desilting work was taken up by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB).
“Presently, there is no revival project planned for the lake. However, the Water Board might come up with one in future. If the water level in the lake rises above 10 feet, we might use it for supply,” a BWSSB engineer said.
He said the water level in the lake rose, not just due to heavy rainfall, but also due to the ongoing works of the rejuvenation of Arkavathi river being carried out by the Cauvery Neeravari Nigam (CNN) in the region. The Nigam has been clearing encroachments and building canals connecting lakes located on the upstream and downstream of Hesaraghatta lake.
Channels improved
The Hesaraghatta lake is spread over 1224.21 acres and has over 184 tanks on its upstream.It has also desilted and restored several lakes and has improved their channels connecting the Hesaraghatta lake. The lake also received water from two other lakes - located on its upstream - which were brimming due to heavy rainfall.
Chief Engineer of the Cauvery Neeravari Nigam, M Bangaraswamy, said, “While implementing the Arkavathi river rejuvenation programme, we might have ignored a few lakes at some places which have stored water up to 14 feet, after the recent rainfall.”
Hesaraghatta lake receives water from Arkavathi river and has a capacity for storing nearly 1,000 million cubic feet of water. Once upon a time, it was the first source of water supply to Bangalore City. Subsequently, water from Tippagondanahalli (TG Halli) was drawn to the City. Till 2011, Dasarahalli constituency was receiving water through borewells. However, rampant sinking of borewells dried up its lakebed and thus, water supply was suspended thereafter.