Cultural group plans festivities off lake, HSR residents worried

BENGALURU: Civic volunteers living around Somasundarapalya Lake in HSR Layout are worried about the future of the waterbody which they took five years to revive. After seeing social media posts uploaded by a popular cultural forum that announced the lake as its venue for Durga Puja celebrations, residents are not too happy about it. The cultural group organising festivities for the Bengali diaspora living near HSR Layout and Sarjapur Road told TOI that they have Bommanahalli MLA Sathish Reddy's written permission and only need to seek final approval from BBMP's lakes department. But before the department could take up the case, the organisation circulated social media posts for sponsorships and stalls by highlighting the event will take place on a '70,000 sqft ground'. One of the posters read: "Walk through an illuminated lakeside. Witness the splendid interplay of lights and their captivating reflections on the water's surface. Then enjoy a sprawling 70,000 square feet of ground adorned with our pandal."But Preeti Gehlot, special commissioner (lakes), BBMP, told TOI no go-ahead has been given to the group. Vijay Kumar Haridar, chief engineer (lakes), BBMP, said, "When nobody has given them permission, how can they announce they are going ahead with celebrations on the lake? We sent an email to the cultural forum communicating the same and our executive engineer even tried to call the group's management, but they didn't respond. That playground is part of the lake. If anyone has promised them the area for festivities, it is illegal."Venkatesh Reddy, a volunteer, said the local community worked very hard to revive the lake. "I have been with them for three years; we cleared the rajakaluve, planted 13,000 plants of 69 varieties. The event is likely to see 5 lakh footfall; 1 lakh vehicles a day... This poses danger to our work."'Choose another venue'Residents stressed they are not against the community or celebrations. "Just pick another venue. It is an eco-sensitive zone. Such usage of lakes is against environmental laws and NGT norms," said a resident.