Efforts to revitalise the 45-acre Vibhutipura Lake in Bengaluru have been disrupted by back-to-back spells of heavy rainfall that flooded the water body’s inlet drains with sewage and silt.
The situation has forced local civic agencies to put on hold planned eco-restoration initiatives, such as the installation of aerators and floating wetlands meant to enhance water quality and biodiversity. According to officials from the municipal body overseeing lakes in the city, at least 35 tipper truckloads of silt and muck have been removed from the lakebed and adjoining drains over a ten-day period. These emergency cleanup operations became necessary after untreated sewage began flowing unchecked into the lake through stormwater drains, following rain events on April 4 and April 10.
The civic agency had been on the cusp of launching phase two of its rejuvenation plan, which included deploying two aerators and 150 square metres of floating wetland islands aimed at increasing dissolved oxygen levels and supporting aquatic flora and fauna. However, the continuing discharge of sewage from the main drain feeding the lake has stalled all progress. An official overseeing the lake’s maintenance highlighted that the planned ecological enhancements can only proceed once sewage contamination is fully contained. Despite repeated notifications, the responsibility for plugging the sewage inflow lies with the city’s water supply and sewerage utility, which has yet to implement effective controls. The matter has gained urgency as the case is under the watch of the Karnataka Lokayukta, which is monitoring broader allegations around pollution, encroachment, and mismanagement of the lake.
The development agency has been instructed to complete desilting and prepare the site for handover to the municipal lake department in the coming week. Officials say the completion of this stage is crucial for advancing sustainable interventions aimed at lake revival and long-term environmental resilience. The situation at Vibhutipura underscores the growing strain on Bengaluru’s aging drainage and wastewater infrastructure, especially during periods of extreme weather. Experts in urban hydrology and water governance say the mixing of sewage with stormwater not only degrades water bodies but also threatens groundwater reserves, public health, and local biodiversity.
Residents and local environmental activists have long flagged the deterioration of the lake ecosystem, which once supported a vibrant wetland. One of the complainants to the Lokayukta stated that untreated effluents from surrounding residential areas and apartment blocks continue to enter stormwater drains, ultimately ending up in the lake. The absence of punitive action and lack of enforcement by civic authorities have allowed this environmental damage to persist, they alleged. Community members have also raised concerns over encroachment of lake land, which has further impeded natural water flow and stormwater management. They have called for immediate on-ground inspection by enforcement agencies, accompanied by action plans that involve local stakeholders.
Environmental planners stress that Bengaluru, which once boasted a network of interconnected lakes and wetlands, must adopt an integrated urban water management strategy to safeguard its remaining water bodies. This includes better coordination between civic agencies, accountability for polluters, and investment in decentralised wastewater treatment infrastructure. As climate variability increases and urbanisation intensifies, the stakes for preserving Bengaluru’s lakes have never been higher. Vibhutipura Lake’s present condition serves as a warning against piecemeal approaches to lake conservation, especially in the absence of robust sewage management systems.
While the desilting efforts offer temporary relief, the long-term future of the lake depends on systemic reforms and sustained civic commitment. Until sewage inflow is permanently stemmed and ecological measures are implemented, Vibhutipura Lake will remain emblematic of the challenges faced by urban water bodies across India.
Also Read : https://urbanacres.in/bengaluru-clears-3570-tons-of-waste-in-sweeping-cleanliness-operation/
