The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : After Ganesha Chaturthi, lake turns an eyesore

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Oct 16, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

After Ganesha Chaturthi, lake turns an eyesore

Staff Reporter

Disregard for pollution norms has made the water dirty

— Photo: K. Murali Kumar

IN POOR CONDITION: Plastic and garbage found in Ulsoor Lake in Bangalore.

BANGALORE: Exactly a month after the Ganesha festival, the Ulsoor Lake continues to be strewn with remains of large idols of the deity and offerings devotedly made to him.

What is worse is that public disregard for pollution norms has meant that the water surrounding the kalyani (the structure built specifically for idol immersions) has also become dirty and malodorous.

While Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Executive Engineer, Bharathinagar division, K.T. Nagaraj, claims that cleaning of the kalyani takes place regularly, one could see the dismembered remains of the idols lying on the steps of the kalyani.

Outside the kalyani, bits and pieces of flotsam and dried flowers stuffed in plastic covers have polluted the lake.

Admitting that idol immersions in the lake undermine the purpose of the kalyani itself, Mr. Nagaraj said: “People have, without our knowledge, dumped the idols there. That is the reason part of the lake is polluted.”

Ulsoor Lake witnessed nearly 1.5 lakh idol immersions last month.

Mr. Nagaraj said the kalyani and the water around would be cleaned again soon. “We need to keep the place ready for immersions of Durga idols also,” he said.

Meanwhile, the BBMP has banned immersions at Sankey Tank as it is undertaking cleaning of the kalyani.

“Idol immersions will not be allowed as the chemicals (on them) could hamper our work,” said B.S. Prasad, executive engineer, Malleswaram division, BBMP.

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