Clear encroachments of SWDs that feed lakes: Upalokayukta

Upalokayukta Justice Subhash B Adi, who was on a lake inspection spree on Saturday, was disappointed to find Rajakaluves (stormwater drains) being encroached at most of the water bodies.

Out of the five lakes that Justice Adi visited, he found Kaikondrahalli lake, Chinnappanahalli lake, Doddanekkundi lake and Agara lake encroached by SWDs. Though Halanayakanahalli lake was free from SWD encroachment, residents there complained to Justice Adi about three roads illegally built over the tank bund.

Justice Adi directed Mohan, Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) of Minor Irrigation Department, to close at least two roads. Harish Nayak, tahsildar (East taluk), said, “The Minor Irrigation Department that is currently the owner of the lake has to take the action”.

The Upalokayukta directed the authorities concerned to ensure proper fencing of the Halanayakanahalli lake.

At Kaikondrahalli lake, Justice Adi was informed by the officials that SWDs had been encroached by Sriram Properties and Bren Developers.

“Removing the encroachments is essential for the free flow of water from Kaikondrahalli lake to the nearby Kasavanahalli and Savala lakes,” Justice Adi said.

He directed BBMP officials to clear the encroachment of SWDs at Chinnappanahalli lake, Agara lake and Doddanekkundi lake and carry out a survey of these water bodies. Residents of Agara complained about garbage being dumped on the bed of Agara lake, due to which a foul smell emanates.

Satish B V, chief engineer for lakes of the BBMP, told Deccan Herald, “We are maintaining only Agara lake. The remaining are being maintained by Lake Development Authority, Bangalore Development Authority and the Minor Irrigation Department. The SWD encroachments at Agara lake have to be removed by engineers of the SWD cell of BBMP.”