Tolanakere to be transformed into tourist spot

Tolanakere to be transformed into tourist spot

GURURAJ JAMKHANDI May 24, 2011, 09.54pm IST

DHARWAD: Tolanakere Lake in Ramalingeshwar Nagar, Hubli, is one of the big lakes in the twin cities. The lake, spread over 23 acres, is next only to Kelgere and Unakal lakes. But with a dump yard surrounding it, the lake is full of sewage and dirty water.

Due to encroachment by brick kilns, the lake had become a place for illegal activities. As part of the Lake Rejuvenation Scheme, the district administration is transforming the lake into a tourist spot at a cost of Rs 1.8 crore. When developed fully, Tolanakere will be the third lake in the twin cities to attract people with recreational facilities.

The Land Army, which has been assigned the job, has demarcated the boundary, complete with fence, and encroachments have been cleared through negotiation. The work on strengthening the tank bund is on.

During the second phase, steps will be taken to divert sewage entering the tank and provision will be made to allow inflow of fresh water. A viewing point will be built with landscaping around it.

DC Darpan Jain, who is regularly monitoring the development works, said there are plans to start boating once the development work is completed. To ensure proper maintenance, revenue will be generated by charging the visitors for entry and amusement in the lake park.

"We are planning an amusement park and other facilities. A system is being worked out to ensure sufficient funds for their maintenance," he added.

Meanwhile, the amusement park at Sadhanakere in Dharwad has been attracting large number of visitors, especially during weekends.

During April this year, about Rs 3 lakh was collected by way of entry fee and charges for amusement facilities like boating. "After paying the contractor providing boating and for other amusement facilities, we are being left with Rs 2 lakh, which is just enough to meet the maintenance expenditure," he said.

There are plans to link Kelgeri to Sadhanakeri to ensure that there is no scarcity of water in the latter. A proposal in this regard is pending with the tourism department.

Waddanakeri Lake to get a facelift

Waddanakeri Lake to get a facelift

GURURAJ JAMKHANDI May 23, 2011, 09.25pm IST

DHARWAD: Even as old timers express concern over the fast depleting serenity and greenery of Dharwad, there is ray of hope. The old lakes, which once inspired the musicians and poets, are being rejuvenated.

After Kelgeri and Sadhanakeri, it is now the turn of Waddanakeri in Jayanagar to draw the attention of the authorities. Encroachment and dumping of waste had made this lake a reservoir of sewage and dirty water, leading to health hazards. The lake, in spite of being located in a residential area, had been neglected for a long period.

There are absolutely no signs of any improvement in the last six decades. Its pathetic condition has resulted in pollution, health hazard, silting, overflow of sewage water. Worse, it has also become a place for anti-social activities.

The residents are also worried about the prospect of overflowing water gushing into their houses during monsoon. The district administration has taken up the work on Waddanakeri for developing it at a cost of Rs 1 crore under the Rs 100-crore special grants sanctioned to the twin cities.

As a first step, the boundary of the lake (spread on 10 acres) has been identified and the sewage water is being diverted. Provision is also being made for the inflow of fresh water. Land Army, which has been assigned the work, has desilted the lake to enable recharging of underground water. Encroachment has also been cleared.

DC Darpan Jain said after doing the basic tank work, steps will be taken to develop the lake into a recreation centre. "Plans are afoot to build walking path, garden and other facilities similar to the ones provided at Sadhanakeri," he added.

Jain said more funds will be sought for landscaping, building amusement park, and the planting of flowering and fruit trees to attract winged visitors.

Jain said 118 tanks across the district will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 35 crore under the tank-rejuvenation scheme. The work is in progress at Rustumsaab tank in Kalghatgi, Neelammannakeri in Navalgund, Kuddikeri in Annigeri and Chavati tank in Alnavar.

What about maintenance?

Dharwad: Senior citizens who had seen the ecological and cultural glory of Dharwad during their younger days, and its depletion later, are happy to see the lakes being developed. But they are equally concerned about their maintenance in future.

The government, after spending huge money, has developed these lakes and built amusement parks. But it is also important to maintain them. People tend to spoil the atmosphere by littering the area. "There is need for strict watch and ward. The government should allocate separate funds for maintenance and entry fees should be charged to ensure proper usage of the facilities," said retired professor R S Salimath. Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation, which has the responsibility of maintaining these lakes, should make budgetary provision for the same, he addd.

HDMC will use FB to solve civic problems

HDMC will use FB to solve civic problems

Basavaraj F Kattimani May 20, 2011, 11.24pm IST

HUBLI: To reach out to more people and to provide them a platform to express opinions and register complaints, Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) has started using Facebook, a popular social networking site.

Those having civic problems in their wards or suggestions for the corporation can now reach the civic authorities at the click of a mouse.

HDMC is said to be the first corporation in the state to utilize the social networking for the benefit of people. "Our intention of putting the HDMC on Facebook is to enable people of the twin cities to freely interact with the HDMC authorities to get their problems solved," K V Trilokchandra, HDMC commissioner, said, and added: "Besides airing their grievances, people can also suggest the authorities ways to improve civic services". The officials monitoring the web postings would attend to them immediately.

The commissioner said they want to target the younger generation through the networking site. "We got an overwhelming response - 580 postings to be precise - within 2-3 days of going online. The respondents were happy to see HDMC on Facebook," he added.