BANGALORE: Ulsoor lake has been in news ever since the Madras Engineering Group spent a complete day cleaning up the lake which had no top layer of water to speak of. Despite the hard work that went into the cleaning it, weeks later, it is filled with wasteThe more pressing problem is the stench and the health hazards it may pose to the visitors. Employees working in offices nearby say that the offensive smell keeps them from doing their routine work. Despite the regular cleaning of the lake done by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, the filth returns to haunt the visitors every few days. Sagay, an employee of an NGO in Ulsoor, visits the park located in close proximity to the lake regularly. He remarked, “The main reason for the state of the lake is the recent rains. The rains lead the sewage water into the lake.” Also, another major cause of concern maybe the fact that the cleaning agents used by the authorities are laden with chemicals which might affect the marine life present in the lake.Another visitor to the park, Shankar, a tea vendor blamed the BBMP officials for showing no interest whatsoever in the lake which is known for the rich history and the glory it brings along with it. He asserted, “The MEG sappers had done their bit in cleaning the lake. They did something that was possibly impossible to do in a day. All that the BBMP had to do was to ensure that it is kept hygienic and clean hence forth. And yet they failed in doing this minor task.”The assistant executive engineer of the BBMP for the area is Chandrashekhar. He informed City Express that they were doing their best to keep the area clean. He said, “We have allotted a budget of approximately `20 lakh for the maintenance of the lake. What one has to understand is that we are doing everything in our power. We have installed filth filters in the drainage structure of nearby areas. But the rain played spoilsport by letting the drain water into the lake. Asphalting and construction of commercial buildings and houses also worsen matters. They prevent the easy flow of sewage water.” He further added that five security guards have been stationed at the lake to prevent the public from discarding garbage into the lake
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