RCB completes restoration of Ittgalpura and Sadenahalli Lakes, ease Bengaluru’s Water Crisis Problem

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) officially handed over the fully restored Ittgalpura and Sadenahalli Lakes to the local panchayat in a formal ceremony today, graced by the presence of MLA Shri Vishwanath and Vice President & Head of RCB, Rajesh Menon. This project under RCB's Go Green Initiative of long-term commitment to environmental stewardship, has breathed new life into these once silted and depleted water bodies.

RCB in partnership with (the implementation partners) India Cares Foundation and Friends of Lakes presented a comprehensive letter detailing the scope of work completed highlighting the interventions for lake improvement. Signifying the deep-rooted cultural reverence for water, the ceremony also included a traditional Ganga Puja, a sacred ritual that reflects the community's hope for the lake’s long-term purity and sustainability. It is now for the local community to maintain it further for water security of the future generation and combat the risk of water crisis in the surrounding region.  

RCB’s Lake Improvement Works Project was designed to improve the drought resistance in highly water-stressed areas in Bengaluru, which lack access to natural source of water and are totally dependent on groundwater and surface water, said Rajesh Menon, Vice President and Head of Royal Challengers Bengaluru . "The selection of Sadenahalli and Ittagalpura lakes was crucial, as they serve as sources for numerous downstream lakes, ensuring the overall water security in the region.  The work undertaken demonstrates a comprehensive approach to lake restoration for improving flood control during monsoons”

As part of the project, over 50,000 tons of silt and sand were meticulously removed, with much of it repurposed by local farmers for plantation efforts—exhibiting how every step of the process was carefully planned to maximize both ecological and community benefits. Furthering the project’s ecological vision, RCB also planted over 3,000 trees along the newly widened bunds of the lakes to help manage flooding and add to the local biodiversity.

The project engaged over 600 local workers for nearly 300 days, showcasing RCB's commitment to community involvement and environmental responsibility. In addition to enhancing the lakes’ ecological health, the initiative introduced a series of parks, including ethno-biodiversity, butterfly, and bamboo parks, as well as wetlands that serve as crucial habitats for migratory birds.

Launched in October 2023, RCB’s Lake Improvement Works Project was designed to increase the water storage capacity of Ittgalpura and Sadenahalli Lakes, which had long relied on limited groundwater. RCB’s work has converted these lakes into key elements of Bengaluru’s water ecosystem, ensuring sustainable water security for the city. The restoration has also boosted the water supply for numerous downstream water bodies, uniting them in a way that bolsters the whole system.