The Smart City had to plug all the sewage inlets besides shifting the sewage line from the lake bed. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The MSCL took up the rejuvenation work at an estimated cost of ₹8 crore, that involved cutting sewage inflow into the lake, dredging the lake bed, strengthening the bunds and such other works. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The rejuvenation work of Kavoor lake, one of the historic and largest fresh water bodies in Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) limits, is almost complete with the expansive lakefront wearing a complete fresh look.
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A source of water for agricultural activities and drinking water for the residents of surrounding areas, the lake spread across 8.32 acres gradually became a cesspool with the inflow of sewage and other waste, like any other water body in urban areas.
The Mangaluru Smart City Ltd., (MSCL) took up the rejuvenation work at an estimated cost of ₹8 crore, that involved cutting sewage inflow into the lake, dredging the lake bed, strengthening the bunds and such other works.
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Mangaluru City North MLA Y. Bharath Shetty who took keen interest in reviving the historic lake connected to the adjacent to Kavoor Mahalingeshwara Temple, said with most of the work getting completed, the administration plans to inaugurate the rejuvenated lake by this month-end.
MSCL General Manager (Technical) Arunprabha told The Hindu that many sewage lines as well as individual residential discharges were opening into the lake as the surrounding area was developed into a residential hub. The worse thing was a main sewage line, commissioned under the Amruth 1 project, passing through the lake bed.
The Smart City had to plug all the sewage inlets besides shifting the sewage line from the lake bed. About three piggeries in the vicinity were letting out their waste water into the lake, which now has been stopped. Loads of trash, including plastic and other waste, was removed while desilting the lake.
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MSCL has also developed two Kalyanis (small ponds) within the lake, one for the Avabhrita Snana of Mahalingeshwara and another, converting an existing well inside the lake.
New facilities
An 800 m-long interlock-paved walking path on the lake bund would be a welcome relief for thousands of residents of the area who did not have a proper breathing space. Besides the walking path, Dr. Shetty said protection grills, small gardens at places, lighting and seating arrangements and such other works are in final stages, the MLA said.
Residents of the area now heave a sigh of relief as their years of fighting for the rejuvenation of the lake has borne fruit.