Stench from Vrishabhavathi overpowers Sabarmati

Bengaluru: Decades after it was inaugurated, Bangalore University's Centre for Gandhian Studies situated on the banks of Vrishabhavathi river on Jnana Bharathi campus stands forlorn. The centre's doors are shut for most part of the year, thanks to an overbearing stench emanating from the cesspool that the water body has turned into.
In fact, so overpowering is the stench that the centre's most aesthetically designed space, the Sabarmati open-air theatre, has not hosted a formal show or performance for nearly a decade now.The theatre, located in the midst of the 1,100-acre campus off Mysuru Road, is a semi-circular arena under a grove of trees whose branches provide shade to both performers and the audience.
Inaugurated in September 2004, the pe rforming space hasn't been used since 2007. Students occasionally use the theatre for practice, but the sessions don't last long.
"It's a nice place to sit, with a capacity of over 300. However, because of the foul smell, we have to keep the doors of the Gandhian Studies Centre closed. This structure was built long ago on the banks of the river and always stayed cool but then that time the river was pristine and clean," said HL Nataraj, professor, Centre for Kannada.
In 2013, the BWSSB promised setting up a sewage treatment plant (STP) of 60 MLD capacity at Kengeri. Three years later, work is still on and the STP is likely to be opened only by next year. This means, till then, the open theatre is certain to remain abandoned.
The paint on the the concrete columns on the dais has worn off and the steps meant for the audience is covered with rotting foliage. The two departments that can use the theatre extensively are the visual arts and dance and drama departments. "Our department is so close to the open-air theatre that we often go there to hold discussions. In twenty minutes, we grow accustomed to the smell. The place needs to be better maintained. Also, other departments should be encouraged to use the facility. Of late, it has been totally neglected," said Aishwarya CM, a II year student of biotechnology.