The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) officials along with the marshals seized two vehicles dumping construction and demolition (C&D) waste around the Bellandur Lake.
The officials caught two vehicles, including the drivers and crew, while they were dumping waste in a private vacant land near the water body. The abandoned waste mainly consisted of plastic and other inflammables.
The seizures are part of the intensive drive to check the repeated incidents of fire within lake, adjoining catchment areas in the city, and to nab those responsible.
“This is an indication that setting the lakes on fire is a planned conspiracy. Investigation has revealed that people come, dump waste and then set it on fire. Apart from government officials, people are also to be blamed. People should manage their waste. It was also agreed upon among locals around the lake and the government to have lake watch wardens, but that seems unlikely now,” said a BDA official.
The marshals pointed out that because of the uneven terrain, patrolling the area is difficult. According to them, people staying in high rises have a better view of the lakes, the surrounding areas and the activities there. They should come forward and help, they said.
On Monday, around 5.30 pm, a fire broke out near Harayana Group Housing Apartment stormwater drain, not far away from the Bellandur Lake. According to BDA officials, the situation was brought under control only by 10 pm, and the fire was said to be outside the buffer zone of the lake.