Authority to save lakes

District-in-charge Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Thursday said the government was planning an authority to conserve lakes in the City. 

The minister, who visited the flood-affected areas, along with Mayor N Shanthakumari and Deputy Mayor T Ranganna, said: “Only handful of lakes are existing and they have not been properly maintained. Those under the control of Lake Development Authority (LDA) are also not protected. Given the scenario, the government is planning an authority that will bring all lakes in its ambit,” he told reporters. 

He said he had visited Somasundarapalya lake, Mangammanapalya lake, Garvebhavi lake, Kodlu lake and some of them need water treatment plants.

“As some lakes have been encroached upon, I have directed the officials to redo the survey. A high-level meeting will be held to discuss encroachments, measures to curb them and develop lakes. Near the Kudlu lake, the Karnataka Compost Development Corporation (KCDC) has set up a waste segregation unit. When it rains, all dirty water from segregation unit joins the lake polluting the water body. To solve the problem, necessary steps would be taken,” he added.

He said engineers have been instructed to rebuild storm water drains (SWDs) at three places near Silk Board junction as precautionary measure so that the SWD does not overflow during rain, adding that to develop the junction, Rs 1.50 crore has been allotted and work would begin shortly. 

Reddy held a meeting at Bommanahalli where people complained of government lands being encroached.