Lokayukta to lakes' rescue, orders encroachment removal

Coming to the rescue of Abbigere and Kaggadasapura lakes, the Lokayukta on Tuesday directed the jurisdictional tahsildars to remove encroachments from the two water bodies.

Lokayukta Justice P Vishwanath Shetty passed the order following a complaint about the encroachment of, and pollution in, 30 lakes in Bengaluru.

A survey report submitted to Lokayukta on the Kaggadasapura Lake had stated:“Around one acre of the lake has been found to be encroached (upon) and it was noted that (the) BWSSB has done nothing to stop the inflow of sewage into the lake. About Rs 16 crore was given as financial aid by (the) KSPCB to (the) BWSSB to instal (an) STP and (the) plan for building (the) STP is yet to be implemented as the process is yet to be commenced for tendering of the same.”

Abbigere Lake falls under two taluks and has been assigned two different survey numbers. A part of the lake has been surveyed and it was found that about 1.5 acres were encroached upon by the BWSSB while about half an acre was grabbed for constructing a road for a private layout. The survey for the other half of the lake will be taken up on June 11 and a detailed report will be submitted by mid-June.

Citizen groups, including United Bengaluru, had petitioned the Lokayukta over the matter. They are expected to raise the issue of Singapura Lake at the next hearing on June 20.

This apart, the Lokayukta, acting on his own, ordered the deputy commissioners of all the 30 districts to submit reports on lakes in their respective districts.