'Encroached' part of Varthur lake belongs to Palike: BDA

Following complaints of encroachment of Varthur lake, a team of officials from Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) on Tuesday inspected the area.

BDA is the custodian of Varthur lake. A BDA officials told DH that there was encroachment at one of the water overflow channels downstream of the lake. Officials, however, said the encroached area fell under the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits.

Mallikarjun, a BDA engineers told local residents who had complained about the encroachment, to submit a memorandum to the BBMP.

“To know the extent of encroachment, a survey is being carried out by the revenue department. Once the survey report is with us, we will take necessary action against the encroachers,” Mallikarjun said, referring to lake encroachment even in the upstream.

Local residents had earlier complained to the BDA that a few labourers have been filling mud downstream of the lake and undertaking excavation work in the middle of the night for the last 15 days. They suspected that an apartment complex being undertaken by a private real estate agency could be involved in the encroachment.

Srinivas G, a resident said: "The lake is already in a pathetic state. The upstream areas at the water body have turned into a dump yard with heaps of solid waste. The downstream part is encroached. Strict action needs to be taken against the encroachers."

The locals said that earlier, the lake measured about 450 acres and in recent years, the water body has shrunk owing to the negligent attitude of the authorities despite encroachments taking place.