Permanent policy on lake encroachment soon: CM

Permanent policy on lake encroachment soon: CM
Deccan Herald

‘A permanent policy decision’ on the encroachment of lakes and lake beds in the City Municipal Council limits will be taken by the State government, Chief Minister Dharam Singh stated on Friday.

Addressing media persons after a visit to some of the rain affected places in Bommanahalli, KR Puram and Mahadevapura CMCs, the chief minister said that ‘in the larger interest of the public’, senior officers at the level of the Chief Secretary, Deputy Commissioner, Bangalore Urban district and the respective area commissioners will study the situation.

Having checked out for himself the situation on the now infamous stretch of Hosur Road - between the Central Silk Board Flyover junction and Garvebhavipalya (offices of Wipro and HTMT), -- Singh said, “the Rajakaluve connecting Begur and Agara lake has been encroached up to a length of 3 kms.” The state has appealed to the Centre for immediate interim relief of Rs 500 crore for rain relief.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has been apprised that “our situation is similar to Mumbai,” the chief minister said.

The Urban development department has, meanwhile, directed the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) to chalk out a separate plan for the remodelling of storm water drains in the CMC areas.

It is apart from the Rs 660-crore project already initiated by the BMP in its limits and for a kilometre’s distance into the CMCs. Shameen Banu, principal secretary, Urban Development, said the new plan is likely to cost about Rs 200 crore.