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.

Sadhanakeri beckons, yet again

Sadhanakeri beckons, yet again

Raju S Vijapur

Sadhankeri, a lake which was once the source of inspiration for poet laureate Da Ra Bendre, situated opposite the late poet’s residence at Sadhankeri Layout (South Dharwad), has an important place in the world of Kannada literature and culture.

This lake is ubiquitous, as a subject or a metaphor, in many of the poems written by Bendre. Sadhankeri’s quiet, but beautiful surroundings, the poet’s inseparable bond with the lake, and the intense pain of losing dear ones are all interwoven in Bendre’s poetry. Over the years, this culturally important lake began to lose its charm. It was partially encroached upon and a portion of this lake became the dumping yard for domestic waste. As the lake’s degradation reached its peak, people started saying ‘Barabyado Sadhankerige’ (‘Don’t come to Sadhankeri’), twisting Bendre’s famous quote ‘Baro Sadhankerige’ (Sadhankeri beckons), highlighting how polluted the lake had become. But now, the lake is all spruced up, thanks to the efforts of the Central and the State governments, which have developed the poet’s favourite haunt at a cost of Rs 3.5 crore under the ‘Baro Sadhankerige Project.’ Today, boating, beautiful fountains and the latest amusement equipment all make for an entertaining experience for the visitor at Sadhanakeri. What’s more, this a plastic-free zone too. The ‘Baro Sadhankerige Project’ was mooted in 2006 to revive the lake and it was completed this year. The idea of reviving the lake was mooted by the then Tourism minister B Shriramulu, on his visit to the poet’s house at Sadhankeri in 2006. Work began in 2007. The project had many teething problems. Though there was no dearth of funds, work came to a stop soon after it was launched. Later, a group of writers and artists led by local political leaders impressed upon the government to resume work. This is the first natural tourist spot in the country developed in the name of a Jnanpeeth Award winning poet. Poet Bendre, who effectively used colloquial Kannada to explore new possibilities in literature during the ‘Navodaya’ period, an important phase in Kannada literature that followed ‘Hosagannada’ in 1950s, made an important contribution to Kannada literature for five decades by penning the most touching poems. No wonder then, that the revival of Sadhankeri has brought much joy to lovers of Kannada literature. Take Shivanand Kelaginmani, a Kannada professor from Kuvempu University, who visited the lake recently, for instance. He is thrilled by the possibility of unwinding at this culturally significant lake, even while reciting Bendre’s verse. Project details As part of the rejuvenation project, a pathway and a strong bund have been constructed around the lake. The 2.5-metre- wide pathway has been made for morning walkers. There’s also a picturesque garden on the North side of the lake. A thick grove has also come up around the lake, which has now become a must-visit cultural and tourist spot for anyone who visits Dharwad. The only lacuna, some feel, in the newly developed lake is the absence of Bendre’s statue. Officials point out that they are consulting with the government to install Bendre’s statue in the lake premises.

Fountains, parks to beautify twin cities

Fountains, parks to beautify twin cities

Vincent D'Souza, TNN | Mar 9, 2011, 10.48pm IST

HUBLI: If everything goes as per the plans of Hubli Dharwad Municipal Corporation, the twin cities will only look more beautiful in the coming days.

HDMC commissioner Dr K V Trilokchandra told TOI that it has been planned to build fountains in seven circles and two gardens of twin cities. Kittur Chennamma Circle, Court Circle and Ambedkar Circle in Hubli and KCD Circle and German Hospital Circle in Dharwad have been chosen to put up fountains. The gardens selected for the purpose are Basavana Vana in Hubli and Vivekananda Park in Dharwad.

He said the HDMC is considering carrying out the beautification work on Built Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis as some people who are presently maintaining medians have evinced interest in carrying out the task. "If not, we will go ahead with the project and call tenders within a month," said Trilokchandra.

He said each fountain will cost Rs 4 to 6 lakh and they are working on the design aspect. "We are contacting designers for the purpose. Different shapes and designs will be chosen for the fountains. The one that will come upat Court Circle will be triangle in shape. K C Circle will be the first where the fountain will come up," he said. At present there are no fountains in twin cities.