The Sharnabasaveshwar tank is one of the oldest tank in Kalaburagi city. The name of the tank comes from lord Sharnabasaveshwar temple, which is located nearby. This tank is popularly known as “APPAN KERE” This lake was initially a stone quarry, which was used for the construction of the Kalaburagi Fort. Around 178 years ago this was developed as a lake, during Nizam’s Administration. Till independence, this lake was managed by the Nizam’s Administration. Presently this lake is under the control of regional commissioner, Kalaburagi.
The KUWS & DB has studied the sewage generated in Kalaburagi town and estimated that it would be 43.56 MLD. Out of this, a total of 7.29 MLD is generated in the catchment area of Sharanabasaveshwar Tank. The tank has a total catchment area of 36 sq km.
The total sewage generated in the catchment area of 7.29 MLD. Out of this 4.79 MLD would be diverted and treated under an ongoing World Bank Assisted Program of which design and estimates have already been prepared. This Project would be completed in 18 months. After the remodeling of the Drainage system, the balance of 2.50 MLD of sewage water in this catchment area necessary to be treated before allowing it to flow into the tank Water. A sewage treatment plant based on FAB Technology has been chosen mainly because of two reasons.
In addition to the above two advantages even the operation and maintenance cost only Rs.1,00,000.00/MLD/annum. This cost of operation and maintenance will be borne by City Corporation Kalaburagi. There will be no problem found as far as operation and maintenance is concerned. After installation of the treatment plant, treated water will go to the tank. The total cost of the proposed Sewage Treatment Plant would be Rs.1.00 Crore the land for the STP would be in the North West portion of the lake only.
The Local organization and individuals towards the Conservation of this lake have contributed Rs.50.00 Lakhs. The amount is available to the district administration. This project will involve most of the local authorities both in terms of finances as well as suggestions coming from them. The project will be implemented through the District Level Tank Development Committee. All the prescribed Government procedures in tendering and entrustment of the work would be followed. There will be independent agencies for supervision and quality checks of work during execution. In addition to official representatives, non-governmental organizations and private people will also be taken in the Tank Committee, which will provide overall supervision and monitoring of the Old Historical Tank.
Kalaburagi City goes through a very severe summer season with temperatures rising to 450 to 460 c. The spell of summer is also longer for almost 31/2 months, starting from March and ending with the onset of Monsoon in the middle of June. During this summer season, the flow of water to the tank is reduced drastically. To overcome this problem it has been proposed to lay a 3 Km Pipeline from Chor Gumbaz drinking water supply treatment Plant to get Backwashed water to the Lake. Which is 3 lakh Gallons per wash. Which is going to waste on the other part of the catchment area of the lake. One more Pipeline of 2.75 Km. For getting backwashed water From the old filter bed to the lake for getting 30,000 Gallons/ wash.
The idea is to release water to this tank from the water treatment plants, as and when the level of the tank is reduced to the level, which poses dangers to the aqua life. The cost of this, which comes to Rs.55.00 lakhs as, has been included in the Project Cost.
The quantity of backwashed water would be 3,30,000 gallons or 0.33 MG per wash. As per the data collected from both the water treatment plants the backwash will be done almost alternative days. So the quantity of water per annum would be around 60MG.
After installing 2.5MLD FAB type of STP the quantum of treated water entering in to the lake per day would be 0.22 MG (or 1.00 MLD) and the total quantity would be 365 ML/annum or 80.30 MG/annum.
After the desolation of the tank, holding capacity will be 167MG so the remaining water of 13.30 MG will be used for maintenance of public garden, which is located just besides the Lake. Now the public garden is almost dried because shortage of water. 0.102 MG of water can be released for the maintenance of 58 acres huge public garden daily.In case of excess of water flow from the lake, it can be used for the garden development at Police Training Center at Naganhalli, which was constructed recently. On the way to Naganhalli the water can also be used for growing Vegetables by local farmers, now they are growing by using polluted water over flown from the lake.
After Development of this whole tank, there is going to be recurring cost of maintenance, which has been calculated about Rs. 11.00 Lakhs per annum. The city corporation Kalaburagi will initially meet this cost of maintenance of Rs. 11.00 Lakhs. And gradually it will be shifted to the revenue, which we are going to get from the proposed developments all around the lake. The total expected returns from the various commercial activities like boating, entry fee & advertising etc., is expected to be Rs. 22.50 lakhs. If everything goes as expected there will be income of Rs. 11.00 lakhs per annum, which will be utilized for further development of the tank and as well as for the development of fort area in future.
Already-District Administration is making efforts to constitute Eco-clubs in schools and is trying to create environmental awareness among the people. Once this tank is full developed it will also act as environment awareness creating center for the people visiting this tank. Keeping in view the present condition of the tank and also to fulfill the desire of 4.56 lakh people of Kalaburagi City to have a beautiful tank in the heart of the city, a comprehensive development of this tank is very very essential.