MUMBAI: In a bid to restore the beauty of Bandra Talao, a Grade II heritage structure, which has been in a state of neglect, the BMC has got its water fountains functional. Clean-up marshals also routinely visit the site and those throwing food or waste into the lake are penalised.
However, a few locals rued that the fountains had gone kaput. Civic officials blamed it on anti-social elements, saying they had tampered with the wiring. “These are water aerators which maintain the oxygen levels, thus keeping the lake clean and ensuring there is no algae formation on the top. Unfortunately, the wiring had been stolen. The BMC is now planning to get it in order,” said local corporator Asif Zakaria.
“We go on a weekly basis as a group to clean the area around the water body. The area is cleaner now as compared to a few weeks back when we started. We are glad the BMC has taken cognisance of the cleanliness initiative by locals and acted accordingly,” said Gauri Kulkarni, who lives near the lake and has been actively involved in the cleanliness drive.
Apart from the clean-up marshals, the BMC has also deployed security guards at the site. Between 2016 and 2019, the BMC had carried out several beautification works along the lake.