Bengaluru’s Madiwala Lake is seeing an unexpected transformation as a result of an ongoing cleanup operation. The de-weeding machine, Jaldost, developed by the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), has unearthed bizarre discoveries, including an old double-door refrigerator, steel vessels, and even books. These items are just a glimpse of the startling waste accumulating beneath the lake’s surface, underscoring years of environmental neglect.
The cleanup, which started with the goal of removing overgrown water weeds and restoring the lake’s ecological balance, has turned into a surprising revelation of the extent of urban waste. According to the Jaldost team, more than 20 tonnes of garbage, including plastics, metal waste, and discarded appliances, have been retrieved so far. The refrigerator is among the most unusual items found, sparking discussions among local residents and experts alike. A Senior Principal Scientist at NAL highlighted the Jaldost machine’s capacity to handle large, heavy debris. “Each scoop of the machine can lift objects as tall as 6-7 feet and weigh up to 3-4 tonnes,” the scientist remarked. “While clearing water hyacinth and debris, we’ve come across a surprising array of items, with the refrigerator being a standout. It’s just the tip of the iceberg, and we’re eager to see what else we will uncover.”
The discovery of the refrigerator, surrounded by silt and weeds, was a shock to the cleanup crew. “The operator initially encountered what appeared to be a rock-like structure,” said Karthikeyan, a team member involved in the operation. “Upon closer inspection, we realised it was a refrigerator. It was much heavier than expected, which added a layer of difficulty to the retrieval.” The Jaldost machine, which was introduced to the lake as a part of an ongoing effort to reduce invasive plant species, is proving to be an effective solution to tackling waterborne debris. The machine, an innovative spinoff of aerospace technology, is capable of operating in water as deep as 30 feet. It uses hydraulic systems to efficiently clear large patches of water hyacinth, which has plagued the lake for years.
However, while the Jaldost machine is efficiently clearing biomass and waste, the responsibility of waste management remains an ongoing concern. Local residents have expressed frustration that the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), which is tasked with the city’s waste management, has yet to take adequate action to address the growing piles of garbage removed from the lake. “Imagine a refrigerator and steel vessels coming out of the lake—this just shows the scale of pollution that has been allowed to accumulate,” said one local resident. Another added, “BBMP needs to take responsibility for monitoring the lake, penalising those who dump waste, and ensuring proper disposal of the debris. We may find a sofa next!”
The extracted waste, which includes a range of materials from plastic bags to steel vessels, is being collected at the lake’s edge by Jaldost operators. While there are opportunities to repurpose some of the waste—such as converting biomass into paper, cardboard, or biofuels—the lack of a clear waste disposal plan hampers these efforts. Despite the progress made by Jaldost in clearing Madiwala Lake, experts and residents continue to push for BBMP to act swiftly and create a comprehensive waste management strategy. The absence of effective waste segregation has made it difficult for Bangalore Solid Waste Management Ltd (BSWML) to deal with the vast amount of refuse collected.
Jaldost, which was deployed at Madiwala Lake in the wake of its successful pilot at Gottigere Lake, remains a key part of Bengaluru’s urban cleanup initiatives. However, until the BBMP addresses the city’s waste management deficiencies, the full benefits of this cutting-edge technology may never be realised. With the lake cleanup ongoing, all eyes are on the next steps for both the technology and the waste management efforts needed to restore Madiwala Lake to its former ecological glory.
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Aerospace Tech Helps Bengaluru Lake Unearth Surprising Waste Finds
