Bellandur lake fire: search for culprits begins

Following a meeting with all stakeholders on Saturday, the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) initiated a search to find the culprits behind the fire at Bellandur lake.

The BDA has also roped in locals to clean up the weed, garbage and dry grass around the lake.

A senior BDA official, seeking anonymity, told DH: "It is confirmed that the dry grass around the lake was set on fire by some miscreants. It is also evident that there is something in the lake which is adding fuel to the fire (helping the flames continue) and even sporadically ignite."

"Unlike forest fire, the flames in the lake raged for more than 30 hours. While we are taking the help of locals, we are also talking to them and trying to find out who could have done it. This time we will not spare the culprits," the official added.

Based on the instructions issued by Additional Chief Secretary Mahendra Jain, the BDA is video recording the statements of locals with help from the police.

The BDA officials also admit that there could be some laxity among the officials and locals, which could have lead to the fire.

BDA Commissioner Rakesh Singh has called for a meeting of all engineers and staffers on Monday.

"A meeting will be held. I have also ordered that dry grass, ash and garbage in and around the lake be immediately cleared," Singh said.

The commissioner said that during the meeting, it will also be discussed and decided on how the lake should be restored.

A final decision will be taken on Monday on how the area needs to be cleaned up and protected.