No new buildings in lake buffer zones: Koliwad

No new constructions will be allowed in buffer zones around lakes in Bengaluru urban and rural districts, said Congress MLA K B Koliwad.

Koliwad, who heads a Legislative Assembly committee to look into tank encroachments, told reporters in Bengaluru on Wednesday the committee had initiated a survey around lakes in the two districts following the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) imposition of 75 metres as the buffer zone.

He said the committee could not give any directions with regard to already completed projects in buffer zones. However, licences/permissions will not be given to any new structures. The committee has temporarily stopped works on all ongoing projects.

Though the committee has issued notices to stop registration of flats in an apartment complex built by real estate developer Valmark in Hulimavu and Arakere, construction activities had continued, he said. Valmark, he said, has built a 34-storey building on the lake bed. The government’s role in stalling these activities is imperative, he added.

He also said criminal action would be initiated against officials who have manipulated documents and allowed encroachments on lake beds, raja kaluves and buffer zones.
Once the survey of buffer zones is completed, the committee would finalise its report and submit it by August-end, he said.