BBMP is working on stop-gap arrangement to prevent flooding

Many corrective measures were implemented at Puttenahalli and Sarakki lakes after the 2005 flooding, which had prevented inundation all these years.

But the floods were back this year, as the new draft channels and drains from the two lakes in 2008 have either been encroached upon or diverted.

Encroachment exposed

So far, the encroachments were not exposed as the two lakes had dried up. However, following last year’s encroachment clearance drive, the lakes have filled up, but exposed the encroachment of rajakaluves and weirs.

Both the northeast and southeast weirs of Sarakki lake have been encroached upon by temples, which were spared during the demolition drive.

Water is flowing in from the upstream Chunchughatta and Jaraganahalli lakes. But there is no outlet for surplus water. A drain built in 2008 has been blocked and encroached upon, BBMP sources said.

Temple on outlet

“The Satya Ganapathy temple now stands on the outlet at the northeast; the flow of water has been diverted to a narrow channel with a two-metre-diameter pipe, which is woefully insufficient. We are trying to lay another three-feet-diameter pipe, which will serve as an alternative outlet,” said Ravi, executive engineer (Lakes), BBMP.

However, work has been hit by technical glitches.

‘Demolition necessary’

The BBMP and lake conservation activists argue that demolition of the temples and clearing all encroachments on the natural rajakaluve is the only solution.

V. Shankar, DC, Bengaluru (Urban) was non-committal. “The temples were handed over to the Muzrai department. We will consider demolition in the light of the new situation,” he said.

Kshitij Urs of Peoples Campaign for Right to Water, and a resident of the area, said that they would approach the High Court seeking directions for demolition of the temples and restoring the rajakaluve.