Bengaluru: Encroachers target Venkateshpura Lake

BENGALURU: Over 60 lakes in the city are not under the custody of either the BBMP or BDA, which allows their exploitation and encroachment. Venkateshpura Lake near Jakkur is one such lake which is now seeing encroachment near its quarry side. 

Though the BDA maintains that it handed over the lake to the BBMP after completing the rejuvenation work in 2012-2013, the Palike says the BDA has done a shoddy job and lack of fund has stopped it from taking custody of the lake.  Mr Raj, a resident staying nearby and one of the volunteers who has taken up cleaning of the lake, said, “Over the last one week, illegal construction has started near the quarry. We informed the tahsildar. The BBMP tried to stop the construction, but it is continuing in full swing.” 

The BBMP, alleging that the development work is shoddy, pointed out that only one side of the lake has been fenced. 

BBMP executive engineer Ravi told DC, “We recently wrote a letter to the tahsildar’s office, asking them to fence the quarry which is being encroached. If the quarry is also included, the size of the lake would be 12 acres.”  

The BBMP said  a citizen should be nominated for proper management of the lake after completely fencing the quarry and the lake. 

Mr Raj said that ironically, the construction is going on at a place where a board has been put up warning people that no construction should take place within the lake boundary. 

Ms Seema Garg, CEO, KLCDA, said that a team from her office will be sent for inspection. But she stressed that to put an end to such a menace, civic authorities should take the initiative. “Geo-surveys clearly mention that the BBMP should take care of the water body. At least when such issues pertaining to lakes come up, the authorities should come forward and take responsibility,” she said.