Benniganahalli Lake: Bengaluru activists say post revival, maintenance is challenge

Bengaluru: Once an eyesore in east Bengaluru, Benniganahalli Lake, near Tin Factory along Outer Ring Road, now sets an example for what clean and well-maintained urban waterbodies can offer to communities. Besides the pink poui trees in full bloom, the lake recently become a hub for water sports.
The Kayaking and Canoeing Association of Karnataka has shifted its training sessions to Benniganahalli Lake from Yele Mallappa Shetty Lake, following weed overgrowth and poor maintenance of the waterbody in east Bengaluru.

The turnaround in Benniganahalli Lake's fortunes began in 2019. A few locals, who couldn't bear to see the lake being reduced to a cesspool, revived it with BBMP's help. Benniganahalli Kere Trust was formed by stakeholders to take care of the lake. BMRCL, which had cut a few trees for Metro work, built physical infrastructure inside the lake, including a walking track, streetlights, benches, and gyms, which is bringing a lot of walkers back to the lake.
However, trust members say maintenance is a challenge. Balasubramanian Durai, a trust member, told TOI, "Now the lake is revived and has created a lot of space for various activities and new attractions. As volunteers, we have a lot of limitations, and it is BBMP which should take charge of the maintenance. Due to a lack of security, the lake infrastructures are already being vandalised. There is some more work to be finished. If we leave the lake without maintenance, it will be spoiled in the next 4 to 5 years."
Capt Dilip Kumar, secretary, Karnataka Kayaking and Canoeing Association, "Benniganahalli Lake is convenient for kayaking but its length is short for the activity. Yele Mallapa Shetty Lake was perfect length-wise, but everything else was a challenge. Unbridled growth of weeds was making it difficult to run boats. We can't reach the lakebed as there is no proper road and access paths get slushy when it rains. There is no fencing... However, BBMP has been very supportive and we have requested them to get Yele Mallappa Shetty ;ake restored soon so we can practice there."
BBMP took over the lake about eight years ago from BDA. "The lake was in very bad shape filled with sewage. Now with volunteers' help, we have revived the lake. Our main problem with maintenance is sewage entering the lake, which BWSSB should take care of. When sewage water enters into stormwater drains, there are high chances that it will enter the lake. People should also be responsible and mindful, while utilising public spaces. However, we have security throughout the day to guard the lake," Nithya Ravi, executive engineer (lakes), BBMP told TOI.