Mumbai: Once a Bandra landmark, Talao falls into neglect amid decay and stench

Bandra Talao a Grade II landmark in the western suburbs of Mumbai has been around for about 200 years but its condition has deteriorated over the past few years causing people to avoid visiting it Broken pavements missing fences and a stench are what greet visitors now Floyd Gracias an advocate and resident of Bandra since his birth said ldquoEarlier the lake was actually fun to visit From what I remember it had some pedal boating activities and also fountains But now those are just past memoriesrdquoLotus Lake Motha Sarovar Swami Vivekanand Sarovar or most commonly known as Bandra Talao is a historical Grade II landmark in the western suburbs The lake has been around for about 200 years but its condition has deteriorated over the last few years causing people to avoid it Broken pavements missing fences and a stench are what greet visitors nowGarbage floating in the lakeLocalSpeakFloyd Gracias an advocate and resident of Bandra since his birth said ldquoEarlier the lake was actually fun to visit From what I remember it had some pedal boating activities and also fountains But now those are just past memories Watching the authorities actually work to restore the lake would be a sight for sore eyesrdquoAsif Zakaria a Congress leader who resides in Bandra told midday ldquoThe lake did not even have an area to walk around it earlier After suggestions from many locals including me the civic body worked on making the promenade area Though the restoration work which was carried out a few years ago had been beautiful and inviting to all of us the lack of maintenance has now quashed any interest people had in visiting the lakerdquoA section of the lake where the fence is missingZakaria said ldquoWhen the work tender was floated recently those who know more about the lake had told me that even during the intense Mumbai summer heat the lake does not lose much water which they suspect is due to the lake having some sort of a natural supply Some even assume that it has about seven natural springs which help maintain the required water levelrdquoZakaria asserted that the tender lists plans to remove lake water clean the lake and then refill it ldquoBut this might adversely affect the supposed natural source of the water and cause irreversible damage The BMC has to proceed with cautionrdquo he saidA broken section of the lake periphery wallAccording to Zakaria when the water was tested a few years ago it was discovered that the water was losing its reoxygenating qualities due to stagnation As a result a few fountains and other elements which also add aesthetic value were installed at the timeWhile this reporter was at the location it was observed that some locals also fish in the lake though it has garbage thrown into it Locals claim the lake hosts a variety of flora and fauna including pomfret which they fish from time to timeThe badly maintained entrance PicClayton MurzelloOfficialSpeakDinesh Pallewad assistant municipal commissioner H West ward told midday ldquoThe tender to carry out the work has been passed and the project has been awarded to a contractor There have been delays only due to security deposit issues but those have been resolved now We are expecting the work order to be given in a day or two and the work will begin in a weekrdquoAddressing the concerns of the lakersquos natural water system being disrupted by the restoration Pallewad said ldquoWe have consulted environment consultants and have made the restoration plans according to their advice Steps will be taken to retain the natural elements of the lake and to leave any flora and fauna undisturbedrdquo75 acresArea the lake spans acrossBandra Talao history Created about 200 years ago Constructed by a philanthropic Konkani man Spread over 75 acres of land Boating and pisciculture were common practices at lake in the 1990sVoicesAdv Floyd Gracias Bandra residentThe lake was fun to visit It had pedal boating and also fountains But now those are just past memories Watching the authorities work to restore the lake would be a sight for sore eyesAsif Zakaria Congress leader and localThough the restoration work which was carried out a few years ago had been beautiful and inviting to all of us the lack of maintenance has now quashed any interest people had in visiting the lake