Tourism Minister R.V. Deshpande, who also holds the Higher Education portfolio, yesterday said that Kukkarahalli Lake located in the heart of the city would be developed into a major tourist destination.

During his visit to the lake, Deshpande instructed officials to expedite the work of fencing of the lake which had once inspired Rashtrakavi Kuvempu, as the work was moving in a snail’s pace.

The Minister further said that a comprehensive plan for the development of the lake would be prepared in consultation with senior citizens and environmentalists.

Taking officials to task over the delay in fencing works of the lake which had already been sanctioned Rs. 2 crore, he asked them to explain the reason for the delay to which officials of the Tourism Department responded by saying that out of the Rs. 2 crore sanctioned to the University of Mysore, Rs. 1.4 crore had been used to develop a parking lot and a children’s park.

They further explained that the development works could not be undertaken as none of the contractors had responded to the four tender notifications issued in this regard.

Deshpande instructed officials to complete the tender formalities for the work at the earliest.

Fencing around Kukkarahalli Lake

Deshpande took serious objection to the stoppage of fencing works around the lake and ordered officials to complete the works at the earliest in the interest of general public and not to heed to the demands of environmentalists. He asked the officials to tell those who questioned the fencing work to meet him.

MLA Vasu, who was present, suggested the setting up of a water purification plant to treat the sewage water flowing into the lake and use the same for development of parks.

DC Dr. Ramegowda, VVWW Executive Engineer Subramanya, industrialist R. Guru, Kukkarahalli Lake Protection Committee Convenor K.M.Jayaramaiah, Janatha Bazaar President Chandrashekar, and others accompanied the Minister.

Courtesy : Star Of Mysore