CAG Report No. 11 of 2025 — Implementation of Smart City Mission, Government of Karnataka

Implementation of Projects and Monitoring
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usage of enzymes for rejuvenation of lake, led to non-achievement of the desired
objective of the project even after spending ₹3.45 crore.
The State Government replied (April 2025) that adequate measures had been
taken to prevent sewage water from entering the lake. Additionally, it was stated
that other remedial actions, such as aeration and the use of enzymes to control
hyacinth growth, had been implemented to improve water quality. However,
the response could not be verified due to the absence of supporting documents.
4.12.2 Rejuvenation of Kavoor lake for rainwater harvesting and recreation
The rejuvenation of Kavoor Lake project was taken up by MSCL with the
following objectives:
• Improvement and upgradation of lake as a part of rainwater harvesting
and increase catchment.
• Development of recreational facilities around the lake to increase the
social interaction among the communities.
• Rejuvenating the lake to improve the socio-cultural value of surrounding
areas and redevelop it as a recreational area.
• Encouraging and creating awareness in society about water conservation
and lake rejuvenation.
The above project was awarded (March 2020) to a contractor after due tender
process for a contract price of ₹6.94 crore. The scheduled completion date was
17 March 2021, and the work has been completed physically, but the final bill
is pending. The total expenditure incurred on the project (November 2023) was
₹8.22 crore.
At the instruction of the TC, KUIDFC, the MSCL engaged Department of Civil
Engineering, Bengaluru University to study and submit a report on the Kavoor
Lake. The Department of Civil Engineering in its report (April 2021)
recommended the following:
• The temporary channel/bund built inside the lake should be removed;
• Wet well should be built to tap the inflow from three out of six watersheds;
• The geometry, bed slope and alignment should be worked out as per the
ground conditions to fulfil the safe passage of flood discharge;
• The outlet of the lake should be redesigned for safe discharge of floods.
However, no action had been taken by the MSCL to address the
recommendations suggested in the Bengaluru University report.
The State Government replied (April 2025) that due to space, time and fund
constraints, works suggested by Bengaluru University could not be taken up.
However, the project was completed attaining its objectives. The reply cannot
be accepted as the corrective measures suggested by Bengaluru University were