Will Bengaluru demolitions continue? Wait for Koliwad committee’s report on June 9

BENGALURU: A month after the state government pulled down several houses on grounds that they were built in areas which were originally part of lakes, triggering protests by the Opposition, a House committee constituted to identify such encroachments has decided to hand in an interim report to Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa shortly.

The committee, headed by Congress MLA K.B. Koliwad, would meet on June 9 to finalise the interim report. “We have visited few lakes, where the committee found encroachment of lakebed by both private and public authorities. After gaining first hand information, the committee has decided to submit the interim report to the Speaker,” said a member of the committee, adding the interim report would be ready before commencement of the legislature session, and help the state government arrive at a decision on continuing the demolition drive.

While finalising the interim report, committee would take into consideration observations made by the High Court and Upa Lokayukta, Subhash B. Adi about demolition drive. It would also factor in two important issues: One, encroachment of lakes should be dealt with seriously irrespective of whether they are private or public entities.

A majority of people who constructed houses were unaware about encroachment, but followed the due procedure and also obtained a khata. On this issue, the committee would tread cautiously while submitting the interim report, but likely to suggest that officers of BBMP and BDA be made accountable for encroachment, the member explained.

Members of the committee have also decided to revisit the definition of lakes. In the Laxman Rao committee report, Mr. Rao has mentioned about dead lakes, and therefore encroachment of such lakes would also be taken into consideration, sources added.