Law to save lakes: Ashok

Law to save lakes: Ashok
BENGALURU


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The state govern ment is considering bringing in a comprehensive law to protect water bodies from land sharks in the city.
Responding to a suggestion by Member of Parliament Ananth Kumar on Tuesday that the government come out with a law to curb encroachments, minister in charge of Bengaluru North R. Ashok said on Monday that a meeting would be held with Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and the chief secretary within a fortnight on the issue.

Civic agencies like BWSSB and others would be consulted before drafting the Act.

Mr Kumar had suggested that the new law should prevent encroachments, punish those guilty of land grabbing and also ensure that lakes are beautified.

Mr Ashok, who was inspecting the arrangements made for idol immersion at Yediyur lake, said the government was against privatisation and leasing of lakes for their upkeep. As the Lake Development Authority was not empowered to take action against encroachers, the govern ment had now decided to hand them over to the care of the BBMP, BDA and BMRDA, which could act against land grabbers in their respective jurisdictions.

“Already, around 17 lakes have been identified and brought under the BBMP for development and beautification. A detailed project report (DPR) has been prepared by the BBMP and sent to the central steering committee for approval. The lakes will be developed with financial assistance from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM),” he said.

Upset with the slow pace of work on storm water drains, Mr Ashok directed the BBMP commissioner to hold a special meeting with contractors and engineers to expedite the work on them, which had to be completed by December 2009.

He wanted an inquiry against contractors who were delaying the drain work and putting people’s lives at risk during the monsoons.

Meanwhile, according to sources, the ministry of ecology’s permission is required before the lakes can be transferred from the LDA to the BBMP or BDA.