Bengaluru: The House committee probing lake encroachments has found that nearly 2,600 acres of lake beds have been encroached in and around Bengaluru.
Members of the committee headed by Congress legislator K.B. Koliwad told Deccan Chronicle that besides lake beds encroached by BDA, private parties have encroached on 1781 acres of lake beds in urban and rural parts of Bengaluru. Another 800 acres of lake land encroached upon are part of small tanks and ponds in rural areas.
During a hearing, the House committee has sought a survey of all lakes in and around Bengaluru. Now, the survey of all lakes has been completed and mapping also has been done. The survey report will be placed before the committee in its next meeting, said Mr Koliwad.
According to the House committee chairperson, more lake beds are encroached in city areas compared to rural parts of Bengaluru. After the survey of lakes is complete, the committee has decided to suggest to the state government to fix the boundaries for lakes to stop further encroachments. The survey reports say Sarakki, Puttenahalli and Jaraganahalli lakes bed have been encroached by private parties.
“BDA has encroached on more than 3500 acres of lake beds, allotted over 65,000 sites, in which people have already constructed houses, so these houses cannot be called illegal. The House committee would suggest not to raze residential and commercial complexes constructed on lake beds,” said a committee member.
