A complaint before the Upalokayukta stated that the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has developed 50 layouts by encroaching upon lake beds here, but the actual figure could be much higher.
The BDA, however, said that it has developed only 15 such layouts.
Taking serious note of the issue, Upalokayukta Justice Subhash B Adi sent notices to the Urban Development Department, Deputy Commissioner (Bengaluru Urban), BDA Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of Lake Development Authority to spell out the number of layouts developed by the BDA on lake or tank area, including the buffer zone.
An emergency meeting will be held on Tuesday to discuss the matter. After BDA’s encroachment upon Banaswadi lake to form HRBR layout came to light, the Upalokayukta received several complaints in connection with survey, demarcation and fencing of lake boundaries, and removal of encroachments.
Specific complaints were also received for removal of encroachments on Venkatarayanakere in Gubbalala, particularly with regard to layouts formed by the BDA. The possibility of more such layouts created by the BDA surfaced when people who lost sites in Venkatarayanakere area demanded compensation.
“With respect to Venkatarayanakere, the BDA submitted that since the layout was already formed it was not feasible to cancel now. After spending a huge amount, cancelling the layout would cause heavy financial burden. The government was asked whether such layouts would be removed and lakes restored. But the government directed the BDA to take a decision in its board meeting,” said Justice Adi.
But neither the BDA nor the Deputy Commissioner (Bengaluru Urban) took any decision. A senior BDA official told Deccan Herald that since the structural dimension of the lakes has also changed, the number of layouts being developed in the lake beds might go up. “As of now, we have identified 13 to 15 such layouts developed in the last 15 years,” the official said.
“People have bought these sites from the BDA out of their hard-earned money. The law that applies to everyone also applies to the BDA. Moreover, who should take action against BDA officials responsible for creation of such layouts?
In view of such serious allegations, I have directed the heads concerned to furnish the exact number of such layouts formed by the BDA and whether any action has been initiated to remove such constructions. In case such layouts are excluded, then the reason for excluding them,” Justice Adi added.
Under threat
*A complaint states that the BDA has developed 50 layouts on lake bed, while BDA agrees to have developed 13-15 layouts
*BJP MLA Suresh Kumar has demanded special session of Legislature to hold debate on demolition drive which targeted poor and innocent middle-class residents
*Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said the government will take action against builders and real estate firms for cheating innocent residents and selling them sites on encroached lake beds