While many builders and individual house owners have come under the radar for encroaching lakes and Rajakaluves, many are pointing out how government agencies have also been encroachers.
According to sources, BDA has converted around 23 lakes into layouts and distributed 3,500 plots so far. Documents show that 126 plots were distributed at 126 sites at Geddalahalli lake, 115 at Chikkamaranahalli lake, 67 at Banaswadi lake, 222 at Channasandra lake, 486 at Srinivagilu Amanikere, 312 at Bilekahalli lake, 328 at Nagasandra Chennammanakere, 234 at Thippasandra lake (third phase), 13 at Thippasandra lake (second phase), 113 at Agara lake, 161 at Yellukunte lake, 126 at Kacharakanahalli lake, 153 at Hulimavu lake 130 at Venkatnarayana lake, 37 at Nagarbhavi lake, 71 at Challakere, 10 at Domlur lake, 23 at Mestripalya lake, 18 at Benniganahalli lake, 434 at Hennur lake, 94 at Talaghattapura lake, 230 at Kammanahalli lake and 27 at Manganahalli lake.
Revenue Minister R Ashoka said out of 42 lakes that ceased to exist in Bengaluru so far, 28 have been “swallowed” by Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), five by Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), one is BDA authorised, and seven by encroachers.
Noting that the lakes in Bengaluru were connected to one another which ensured the easy flow of water, the minister said, “Our lakes have the capacity to store two to four TMC of water and there would have been no question of lakes overflowing if their systems were maintained well.”
Inquiry into closure of lakes
“I’ve ordered an inquiry into the encroachment of lakes and the stormwater drains. It will have a judicial official and two technical experts,” CM said in the assembly.
The Chief Minister was replying to the queries of the opposition about the measures taken by the government to prevent flooding in the city. He said the special task force would see to it that in the next three to four years the stormwater drains are built properly so that the city would not be flooded.
Bommai stressed the need to take stringent measures to avoid the recurrence of floods in the city.Bommai apprised the House that the Karnataka High Court has given an order that no other agency has the power to grant a stay, be it the deputy commissioner or Tahsildar, on removing encroachments.
The CM said he has ordered a comprehensive master plan involving the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, Bangalore Development Authority and Bengaluru Metropolitan Region Development Authority.
