BBMP clears encroachments on Yelahanka lake bed

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on Thursday cleared encroachments by demolishing as many as 15 buildings put up on the Yelahanka lake bed and recovered seven acres and 13 guntas of land worth Rs three crore.

A month after serving notices on the encroachers, the BBMP Lake Division officials carried out a joint operation with the help of the BBMP Forest Division, Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force and the Revenue Department to free Yelahanka Lake from encroachments.

Overcoming little resistance from the dwellers, the BBMP officials successfully carried out their anti-encroachment drive, took possession of the property and initiated measures to fence the lake.

Spread over 292 acres, Yelahanka lake is one of the biggest water bodies in the City. In recent years, about 14 acres was encroached upon.

A few months ago, BBMP had evicted encroachments in 6 acres 30 guntas of the lake bed.

On Thursday the remaining encroachment was also cleared. B V Satish, Chief Engineer, BBMP Lake Division, said, “We have removed all the encroachments. We have planned to develop it as a model lake of the City.”

The eviction drive was carried out by BBMP executive engineer Ganga Hanumaiah, Assistant Conservator of Forest K R Krishnamurthy, Range Forest Officer Venkateshappa, Environment Engineer Sapna, BMTF sleuths, revenue officers and the Yelahanka police.