Polluted rajakaluves and overcrowded slum pose multiple threats in Bellandur

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: Bellandur, Ward 150 is a rapidly developing ward in the city of Bengaluru. However, the ward is also plagued by several issues.

The Kaikondrahalli Lake in Bengaluru, once thriving with wildlife and a fishing spot, faces a crisis. Sewage contamination from nearby homes has harmed its ecosystem, depleting wildlife and causing foul odours.

Urgent government and community cooperation is vital for a swift solution. The rajakaluves (stormwater drains) around the lake are also extremely polluted. The rajakaluves are clogged with garbage and sewage.

The pollution has led to flooding during the monsoon season. The pollution has also made the rajakaluves a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which has led to an increase in mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue.

Arpita Choudhary, who has lived near the lake her entire life, expressed her frustration and helplessness to News Trail. She said that there is no sewage treatment plant, and the BBMP claims to have a plan to fix the issue, but the funds have not yet been released.

She said that it is heartbreaking to see the lake and the life in it slowly die. The overcrowded slum adjacent to the lake, lacks basic amenities such as roads, clean water, sanitation, and electricity.

The slum has also become a breeding sport for pigs The pig's menace in Bellandur is a major problem for the residents. The pigs roam freely in the streets and scavenge for food in garbage dumps.

The pigs are a nuisance to the residents and also pose a health hazard. The pigs often damage property, such as gardens and garbage bins. The pig menace has also led to the accumulation of garbage in the area.

The residents of the slum, the majority of them who have migrated from Assam and other northeastern states struggle a lot owing to the lack of knowledge about the local language and their rights.

A resident who understands and speaks only Hindi and does house work in nearby apartments said, “I neither know the city, nor the language. I work just to make ends meet and there is nothing we can do about our living situation.”

The foul odour emanating from the lake, the sewage channels (rajakaluves), and the trash heaps have become a pressing issue. This unpleasant smell disrupts the daily lives of residents and their ability to work and live comfortably.

The situation is exacerbated by a key factor: the sewage channels in the slum area where pigs breed are directly linked to the lake, leading to the lake's contamination.

Moreover, the accumulation of garbage in the slum flows into these channels and eventually ends up in the lake. While the BBMP has taken steps to prevent solid waste from entering the lake by installing nets, these measures are not entirely effective in containing the garbage and sewage.

A resident of Bellandur, who lives near a rajakaluve, said that the rajakaluve pollution has made her life miserable. She said that the mosquitoes from the rajakaluve have given her and her family malaria.

Another resident who lives right on the banks of the lake and is a father of a toddler, said, "I used to take a stroll around the lake every morning for fresh air and exercise. But now I've stopped because the lake is so polluted and it might not be safe for my child."

He added that there is a constant pungent smell around the lake and that several people have stopped going near it because of this.