Our City Our Solutions-Unkal lake

HUBLI: Unkal lake, which once supplied drinking water to the city, is fast getting polluted due to excess discharge of seweage into the lake from surrounding places.
Even though the district administration and HDMC authorities have taken up the work, it's still going at a snail's pace. The lake's condition is so pathetic that most of the people who are residing in Unkal have started using the water to wash their clothes, utensils and buffaloes.
Water is being contaminated due to excess release of sewage from Navangar, Byaridevarkoppa and other surrounding places.Unkal lake is one among the few-survived lakes in twin cities. This lake is spread across 200 acres of land but most of it has been encroached upon.
The unmindful act of people who are dumping garbage, waste and washing clothes has spoilt the lake's beauty. The lake, in spite of being located on the Hubli-Dharwad main road, has been neglected for many years.
When environmentalists and localites raised their concern over the condition, HDMC and the district administration have decided to give a facelift to the lake. They started the cleaning last year but the work is still incomplete.
No step has been taken to desilt the lake and make it free from sewage. This work should be completed before the monsoon sets in.
Speaking to The Times of India, Rajanna Korvi , Unkal area corporator, said, "Developmental works are going on at a snail's pace. Corporation is changing their plans about the development of Unkal lake."
UGD lines of Navanagar, Ishwarnagar, Byaridevarkoppa and other areas which are connected to the lake should be diverted to other places to avoid water contamination. Though Rs 2.80 crore was released for UGD work, it isn't utilized properly.