From revival to desilting: ₹50-crore plan to re-develop North Bengaluru’s lakes

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Published - July 23, 2026 07:12 pm IST - Bengaluru

At Nagawara lake, the proposal seeks to take up the remaining development works after the first phase. | Photo Credit: File photo

As shrinking water levels and deteriorating lake health become an increasingly familiar sight across parts of Bengaluru, the North City Corporation has drawn up a ₹50-crore plan to restore 15 lakes through sewage diversion, desilting and ecological restoration works.

Among the lakes identified, Lingarajapuram and Banasawadi lakes are set to undergo complete regeneration. Both lakes, officials said, have been filled up to ground level over the years and no longer retain the characteristics of a water body. The proposal includes restoring their inlets and outlets and recreating the lakes from scratch.

The corporation has also identified a second category of “underdeveloped” lakes that still retain the characteristics of a lake but suffer from issues such as blocked inlets and outlets, sewage inflows and poor ecological health. The corporation will turn underdeveloped lakes into developed water bodies.

Officials said sewage diversion is one of the key components of the project. Sewage diversion drains have been proposed at Avalahalli, Agrahara, Palanahalli, Thirumenahalli and Chokkanahalli lakes to prevent untreated wastewater from entering the water bodies.

North City Corporation Commissioner Pommala Sunil Kumar said that years of silt accumulation have reduced their water-holding capacity, and removing the silt is expected to increase storage capacity.

At Nagawara lake, the proposal seeks to take up the remaining development works after the first phase. The works include walkways, bridges and kalyanis for idol immersion during festivals, while at Singapura lake, spread over about 66 acres, officials said development has already been completed over nearly 40 acres. The remaining works have been estimated at ₹6 crore.

Several lakes included in the proposal, including Avalahalli lake, have been earmarked for restoration in the past. While work had begun on some occasions, it was later halted before completion.

The corporation has also proposed installing real-time water quality and water level monitoring systems across lakes under its jurisdiction. Officials said the system would generate alerts if water quality deteriorates or water levels approach flood levels, to allow officials to monitor pollution and regulate water discharge downstream when required.

The proposal also includes trash barriers, floating wetlands and aerators at selected lakes as part of measures to improve water quality.

“Floating wetlands and trash bins are placed as an eco-friendly system to clean polluted water and manage waste. If placed together, they replicate a natural ecosystem to help restore waterways without relying entirely on harsh chemical treatments,” the Commissioner added.

Public amenities have also been proposed at some lakes. Venkateshpura lake has been earmarked for a yoga platform, gazebo, open-air gym, children’s play area and additional benches, while Banasawadi lake is proposed to receive boundary fencing and allied works.

Published - July 23, 2026 07:12 pm IST

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