Mangaluru : South MLA J.R. Lobo on Sunday directed the Minor Irrigation Department officials to drain out water and remove silt from Gujjarakere as soon as possible, to check from where sewage flows into one of the oldest lakes in the city.

The department has begun rejuvenation works, for the third time, at an estimated cost of Rs. 1 crore. The same lake was rejuvenated twice in 2002 and in 2009.

Expressing his unhappiness over the slow progress of work, Mr. Lobo asked the officials to drain out water and remove silt before monsoon.

“This alone can reveal the depth of the lake to plug seepage of sewage,” he said. The contractor is still removing thick hyacinth grown in the lake.

While draining out the water, Mr. Lobo asked the contractor executing the work to look for native fish species in the lake. “There are very few native fish species now. I will arrange to preserve such species in Pilikula,” he said.

The MLA asked the contractor to finish the work of draining out water in two days.

Mr. Lobo then called a corporation official to know the status of diverting the sewage flowing to the lake from residential areas in Jeppu. “He has told me that they have already commenced the work. The problem of seepage of sewage will be addressed,” he told reporters. Mr. Lobo said arrangements were being made to prevent flow of sewage in the storm water drain running close to Gujjarakere.