House panel directs BDA to remove 34 housing complexes

BENGALURU: The Legislature Committee headed by Mr K.B. Koliwad, looking into land and lake encroachment, has directed the BDA to remove 34 housing complexes constructed by Walmart on the buffer zone of Arekere lake.

Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, Mr Koliwad said that the encroachment of the buffer zone was identified earlier and the company was instructed to stop all activities till a complete survey was conducted. However, the company has gone ahead and completed the construction and even started allotment. The committee has now directed the officials to clear houses constructed on the buffer zone, Mr Koliwad said.

Many constructions have cropped up in buffer zones of lakes in the city. The government has to come out with a proper policy on buffer zones of lakes, since the committee has to consider the interests of people who have purchased land in these buffer zones. Henceforth, the government will not permit any construction activity on the lake buffer zones, he said.

Answering a question, Mr Koliwad said that the election to the Speaker’s post might take place on July 4, when the Assembly Session begins. If it happens on that day and he is chosen, he would resume duty from that day itself. However, he would continue as Chairman of the Lake Encroachment Committee, as he wanted to give a historic report to the government.

When asked about dissidence in the Congress after a few ministers were dropped, Mr Koliwad said each one had a different way of reacting to the developments. The way former minister Mr Kimmane Ratnakar exited should have been a role model to everyone, he added.